Get the Facts on BESS
Stay informed on the latest developments in battery energy storage across Texas. Our collection of fact sheets provides credible, research-based insights into how BESS is strengthening the grid, improving reliability, and driving innovation across the state.
Download these resources to get up to speed on the technology, safety standards, and economic impacts shaping the clean energy future in Texas.
BESS Legislation
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The following Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) legislation went into effect in Texas on Sept. 1, 2025:​
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House Bill 3824: Requires the adoption of fire safety standards and certifications developed by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and mandates third-party inspections, emergency response planning and annual training for first responders at BESS facilities
House Bill 3809: Establishes requirements for BESS facilities, including posting of full financial assurance for facility decommissioning, land restoration, recycling and disposal
House Bill 3229: Requires recyclers of wind, solar, and BESS components to submit annual reports to TCEQ and post full financial assurance to cover recycling and disposal
Combating Extreme Weather Impacts
When Winter Storm Heather impacted Texas in January 2024, BESS units generated $750 million in market savings by delivering ancillary services and freeing up to 3 GW of gas generation to meet demand and lower prices.​
And when record hot temperatures strained the grid in September 2023, energy stored by BESS supplied electricity to approximately 434,000 homes and helped avoid grid failure.
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Source: Role of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the ERCOT Market, Aurora Energy Research, May 2024
Blackout and Brownout Prevention
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are helping keep the lights on in Texas.​
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ERCOT — the power grid operator in Texas — predicted a 12% risk of rolling outages for summer 2024.
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ERCOT's predicted risk for summer 2025 was less than 1%.​
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The reduced risk of rolling outages is mainly due to the rapid growth of BESS and ERCOT's programs to quickly dispatch them as backup power to keep the grid stable.
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Source: ERCOT’s Monthly Outlook for Resource Adequacy for August 2025
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Media coverage: ERCOT predicts the risk of rolling blackouts in Texas this summer (San Antonio Express News)
Tax Revenue Benefits
Clean energy projects send billions to local governments in Texas.
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Over their lifetime, the current fleet of utility-scale wind, solar and battery storage projects in Texas are estimated to generate $12.3 billion in new tax revenue to local communities.
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Existing utility-scale wind, solar and battery storage projects are estimated to pay Texas landowners $15.1 billion over the lifetime of the projects.
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Over 75% of Texas counties are expected to receive tax revenues from either wind, solar or battery storage projects.
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Media coverage: New Report: Clean Energy Industry is Generating Billions for Texas Landowners and Local Governments (Solar Energy Industries Association)
BESS Safety
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are one of the safest forms of modern energy infrastructure. The U.S. energy storage industry utilizes an array of certifications and standards that drive the safe design, installation, and operations of battery energy storage facilities.
BESS facilities are designed and engineered with multiple layers of safety — fire suppression, thermal management, remote monitoring, and emergency shutdown systems.
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Many documented BESS fires involved early-generation battery systems and chemical compositions that predate modern safety standards and technology.​​
According to data from 35 documented U.S. BESS fire events (2012–2024), NONE resulted in contamination or public health concerns in nearby communities.​
Source: Assessment of Potential Impacts of Fires at BESS Facilities, Fire & Risk Alliance, April 2025
BESS and the Environment
Zero emissions – batteries store and release electricity without combustion – there is no air pollution from BESS.
Minimal land use – BESS projects utilize little land. 25 MW+ of capacity can be placed on one acre of land.
No groundwater impacts – BESS units are sealed in containers and typically placed on concrete pads on a layer of crushed stone or on screw piles; they do not use or contaminate water.
Batteries are typically designed for 10–15 years of use and can often be repurposed or recycled. Under HB 3809, battery storage operators must have a Decommissioning Plan in place before construction, along with financial assurance to ensure cleanup funds are available even if ownership changes.
When a project ends, companies must remove all equipment, restore the land to its original condition, and recycle or reuse any components that can be recovered. Parts that cannot be recycled must be disposed of at approved facilities—not left behind or illegally dumped. These requirements protect landowners and taxpayers by ensuring cleanup and land restoration costs are covered up front.
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Cyber Security
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are not just reliable — they’re cyber secure.
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Modern BESS are built with cybersecurity at their core, unlike many older grid assets that were never designed for today’s digital environment.
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Texas requires stronger protections against foreign interference in critical infrastructure — including policies like the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, which prohibits private businesses from entering into contracts with companies linked to adversarial nations that would grant them direct or indirect access to critical infrastructure.
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Leading storage providers also comply with rigorous standards like NERC CIP, ensuring every layer of hardware and software is monitored, traceable and protected from cyber threats.
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Property Values
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects do not negatively affect adjoining or nearby property values.
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After reviewing 25+ BESS projects across the U.S., including several in Texas, property value impacts ranged from -2% to +5%, with an average/median of +1%.
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This is a very typical range of variation in market data and does not suggest an impact on property values.
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The analysis showed that market prices and sales activity around BESS projects remain consistent with typical trends.
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Source: Kirkland Appraisals, LLC, May 2025
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