Battery storage is charging up in Illinois, raising important questions for communities about how to safely site these new systems. Get a better understanding of utility-scale battery storage, including siting guidelines, planning considerations, and current safety regulations. Speakers will share practical examples to help local governments navigate new statewide requirements while addressing key safety and environmental concerns.
Presenters
- Richard Birt, founder of Solar And Fire Education. Birt retired at the end of 2020 as a firefighter captain for Las Vegas Fire and Rescue. He founded Solar And Fire Education, S.A.F.E., which provides free training for firefighters on how to safely mitigate a fire incident involving solar and battery storage systems.
- Upasana Roy, Land Use and Energy Planner and Program Coordinator, Great Plains Institute. Roy supports efforts to help communities and non-energy stakeholders find solutions that balance local needs with renewable energy development, focusing on planning and permitting processes at local and state levels.
About the Resilient Communities Series
Part of the Local Government Education programming series, Resilient Communities presentations are a result of University of Illinois Extension and Prairie Rivers Network's collaboration to build capacity for technical assistance and education aimed to help communities navigate energy- and environment-related funding opportunities, provide guidance on community inclusion, and lead community-specific strategic planning. This outreach can help communities secure and manage resources to address legacy pollution, invest in clean energy technologies, and more.