top of page

A Proposed Energy Storage Project in Jackson County

Seahawk_BG-Illustration.png

Manages surging power demand from growing industrial sector

Lowers electricity costs by providing power during peak times

Stabilizes the local grid during extreme temperatures

Helps prevent rolling blackouts

Safety is Priority #1

The Bluebird Energy Storage project features safety measures that follow the latest guidelines and legislation. In contrast with older systems that have experienced significant safety issues, Bluebird’s design is based on next generation technology: Modular battery units that are housed within sealed, steel containers meeting all national safety standards and testing. Each container will feature continuous temperature and voltage monitoring as well as specialized fire suppression systems. Each container will be physically separated by a buffer zone of several feet, consistent with the most up-to-date national fire codes for energy storage systems (NFPA 855). In addition, the batteries planned for Bluebird will utilize lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is much more stable than the currently widely deployed nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistry. The project is being planned with input from the Fort Osage Fire Protection district, along with ESRG, a national fire safety consulting firm specializing in battery technology, to ensure it meets or exceeds all relevant fire and code regulations. The project will also develop an emergency response plan in close coordination with local emergency response agencies and will include notification and communication procedures for the surrounding community.

Replace carbon-based energy

Strengthen our local electricity grid

Lowers electricity costs by providing power during peak times

Manages surging power demand from growing industrial sector

Stabilizes the local grid during extreme temperatures

Helps prevent rolling blackouts

Safety is Priority #1

The Bluebird Energy Storage project features safety measures that follow the latest guidelines and legislation. In contrast with older systems that have experienced significant safety issues, Bluebird’s design is based on next generation technology: Modular battery units that are housed within sealed, steel containers meeting all national safety standards and testing. Each container will feature continuous temperature and voltage monitoring as well as specialized fire suppression systems. Each container will be physically separated by a buffer zone of several feet, consistent with the most up-to-date national fire codes for energy storage systems (NFPA 855). In addition, the batteries planned for Bluebird will utilize lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is much more stable than the currently widely deployed nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistry. The project is being planned with input from the Fort Osage Fire Protection district, along with ESRG, a national fire safety consulting firm specializing in battery technology, to ensure it meets or exceeds all relevant fire and code regulations. The project will also develop an emergency response plan in close coordination with local emergency response agencies and will include notification and communication procedures for the surrounding community.

New Leaf Energy, Inc. proposes to develop a 200-MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on a portion of an existing 52-acre agricultural field off East Twiehaus Road, adjacent to the Evergy substation and the Sibley Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) landfill. The project will establish critical new infrastructure that will strengthen the electrical grid locally, while contributing to more reliable and affordable power for the community.

 

The project achieves this by storing energy in batteries for use during peak energy demand periods, helping to reduce electricity prices and mitigating the potential for rolling blackouts. In addition, the stored energy supports disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

​

The proposed project’s batteries will utilize safe and reliable lithium-iron batteries that feature lithium iron phosphate chemistry.

img-76133391-7c82-4e73-b60b-be348c36dc59.png

Safety is Priority #1

The Seahawk Energy Storage project features safety measures that follow the very latest California guidelines and legislation. In contrast with older systems that have experienced significant safety issues (such as the Jan. 17, 2025 fire at Moss Landing), Seahawk includes new technology battery units that are housed within purpose-built, sealed, steel containers meeting national fire safety standards and testing.   Each container will feature on-board heat monitoring and specialized fire suppression systems, and each container will be physically separated by a buffer zone of several feet consistent with the most updated California Fire Codes for energy storage systems. In addition, the batteries planned for Seahawk will utilize lithium phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is much more stable than the currently widely deployed nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistry.   The project is being planned in collaboration with the Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District and CALFIRE, with input from other nearby by fire protection agencies, to ensure it meets or exceeds all relevant fire regulations.   The project will also follow the provisions of Senate Bill 38, authored by Senator John Laird, which establishes protocols to protect the health and well-being of workers and surrounding communities. Specifically, SB 38 requires the development of an emergency response plan, to be created in close coordination with local emergency response agencies and submitted to local government, as well as a notification and communication procedure.

Our Mission is Decarbonization

A Proposed Energy Storage Project in Santa Cruz County

Helps prevent rolling blackouts

Supports clean, renewable energy

Replaces carbon-based energy

Strengthens our local electricity grid

Safety is Priority #1

The Seahawk Energy Storage project features safety measures that follow the very latest California guidelines and legislation. In contrast with older systems that have experienced significant safety issues (such as the Jan. 17, 2025 fire at Moss Landing), Seahawk includes new technology battery units that are housed within purpose-built, sealed, steel containers meeting national fire safety standards and testing.   Each container will feature on-board heat monitoring and specialized fire suppression systems, and each container will be physically separated by a buffer zone of several feet consistent with the most updated California Fire Codes for energy storage systems. In addition, the batteries planned for Seahawk will utilize lithium phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is much more stable than the currently widely deployed nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistry.   The project is being planned in collaboration with the Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District and CALFIRE, with input from other nearby by fire protection agencies, to ensure it meets or exceeds all relevant fire regulations.   The project will also follow the provisions of Senate Bill 38, authored by Senator John Laird, which establishes protocols to protect the health and well-being of workers and surrounding communities. Specifically, SB 38 requires the development of an emergency response plan, to be created in close coordination with local emergency response agencies and submitted to local government, as well as a notification and communication procedure.

Seahawk_BG-Illustration_edited.png

The Bluebird Energy Storage project is envisioned to store energy at a proposed site adjacent to the Evergy substation in Sibley. The project will establish critical new infrastructure that will strengthen the electrical grid locally, while contributing to more reliable and affordable power for the community.

The project achieves this by storing energy in batteries for use during peak energy demand periods, helping to reduce electricity prices and mitigating the potential for rolling blackouts. In addition, the stored energy supports disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

​

New Leaf Energy, Inc. proposes to develop a 200-MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on a portion of an existing 52-acre agricultural field off East Twiehaus Road, adjacent to the Evergy substation. 

​

The BESS will use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology — a chemistry chosen for its stability and safety. Key site components include:

​

  • Battery modules housed in purpose-built, weatherproof metal enclosures with integrated power conversion equipment and fire suppression systems

  • Inverters and transformers to convert and step up power for grid delivery

  • Collector substation located on-site

  • SCADA system (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) for continuous remote monitoring and emergency remote shut-off capability

  • Operations and Maintenance area, stormwater management facilities and temporary construction staging areas

​

The project will connect to the regional grid via a new ~0.3-mile, 345-kilovolt (kV) overhead generation interconnection line. The line runs north from the on-site collector substation, crosses East Twiehaus Road, and connects to the existing Evergy substation. The specific method of interconnection will be determined by Evergy.

AdobeStock_459298034.jpeg

About New Leaf Energy

New Leaf Energy develops large-scale solar and energy storage systems in the US. New Leaf Energy takes the safety of residents near our projects very seriously, which is why our multi-layered approach to designing and developing energy storage systems puts safety at the center of every decision.

bottom of page