Thermochemical Energy Storage for Disadvantaged Communities

2024060883

California Energy Commission

NOE - Notice of Exemption

6/20/2024

6/20/2024

Zoe Higgerson

California Energy Commission

Utilities Engineer

Lead/Public Agency

715 P St
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 931-5128

Zoe.Higgerson@energy.ca.gov

32°52'50.6"N 117°13'17"W

Athena Cr and Voigt Dr

92093

Categorical Exemption

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15301

The University of California, San Diego Campus, Physical and Community Planning department, issued a CEQA Notice of Exemption for the project on September 20, 2023. The exemption was based on 14 C.C.R. § 15301, Existing Facilities. The equipment would be placed on existing, vacated concrete foundations previously occupied by a 2.8 MW molten carbonate fuel cell generating plant, which was decommissioned in 2023. The site was previously permitted for major electrical infrastructure and electricity generating equipment, and the proposed thermochemical energy storage (TCES) system coupled with a turbogenerator for electricity-to-electricity storage plus heat delivery, will reuse some of that electrical infrastructure to access the University’s 12 kV electrical distribution system. In addition, a 100-ton adsorption chiller associated with the former generator remains onsite fully functional and permitted, and will be repurposed for the proposed thermal energy storage system operation.

Categorical Exemption

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15303

In addition, Section 15303, Small Structures applies: This project consists of installation of a small structure. The combined heat and power (CHP) system will include a 10 MWh-th (3 MWh-e) RedoxBlox thermochemical energy storage vessel paired with a microturbine for a peak electrical output of 100 kW-e and 24 hours of storage located on the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) medical campus. The equipment will be installed on two existing 14 x 16 feet concrete pads, labeled Module A and Module B. Each pad formerly supported a 52-ton fuel cell. The plan is to install the TCES vessel and Ansaldo turbogenerator on the Module A (~35 tons) pad and the balance of plant on the Module B pad. The highest dimension of the equipment is about 20 feet off the pad. These dimensions are in line with the various examples of exempt structures under Section 15303. The turbine and generator do not rely on burning fossil gas. Rather, hot compressed air from the TCES will be delivered to the expander section of the gas turbine to generate electricity. Instead of using the combustion of a fossil fuel to provide the heat, RedoxBlox’s system uses the zero-carbon oxidation reaction of its energy storage material. Thus, it appears there is no discretionary air pollution emissions permit needed.

Categorical Exemption

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15304

Section 15304, Minor Alterations to Land applies: Within the established site, this project includes minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored, which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees. There will be trenching for piping and other connections.

Categorical Exemption

Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15306

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, Section 15306 provides that projects which consist of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities, and which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. This project involves demonstration and testing of the RedoxBlox TCES and related equipment. For these reasons, the proposed project will have no significant effect on the environment and is categorically exempt under sections 15301, 15303, 15304, and 15306. The project will not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies; does not involve any cumulative impacts of successive projects of the same type in the same place that might be considered significant; does not involve unusual circumstances that might have a significant effect on the environment; will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway; the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5; and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project, and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.