FAQs
Common Questions
Questions About GDQ ESS
GDQ ESS is a company name specific to this proposed battery project in Quonset. Our development and construction company is Green Development, LLC which has developed, built, and operated over 180 MW of sophisticated energy generation projects in RI over the last 10 years. We currently operate a battery project next to our warehouse in Quonset. Battery energy storage systems are modular, which means a smaller project is not dissimilar to a larger scale project.
This is the first large scale battery project in RI but there are nearly 1000 in the country. RI will see many more energy storage projects over the next decade in all shapes and sizes. This is not a new technology and not new to the individuals who will operate the project.
Preferred sites are in industrial areas adjacent to transmission lines and substations. Other properties matching these preferences have secured site control. It’s not a “one or the other” situation. Rhode Island and the region will benefit from the increased grid reliability.
Yes – Mark is the sole owner of GDQ ESS, LLC.
The two projects are entirely separate with different objectives and different approval processes. They are not related.
Questions About Battery Energy Storage
This proposed energy storage system is a regional infrastructure project because it connects to the regional transmission system. Furthermore the State of RI updates its Energy Plan every 10 years. State of Rhode Island Energy 2035 Plan is a long-term roadmap which focuses on energy security, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Batteries help through peak shaving and help to integrate renewables into the grid. Energy storage helps to further the goals of other RI energy laws such as the 2024 Energy Storage Systems Act, 2014 Resilient Rhode Island Act and 2014 Affordable Clean Energy Security Act.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, there are 978 operational utility-scale battery storage projects in the U.S as of April 2026.
Inspections during construction and commissioning will be determined through the building permit process controlled by the state. Once commissioning has been completed and the project moves into operation, there will be ongoing operation and maintenance inspections and checks based on supplier and warranty recommendations. Operation and maintenance roles and services have not been finalized at this time.
The specific battery modules will be selected after final permitting and before procurement of long lead-items. This is done to ensure that the technology selected is the most up-to-date technology with best practices for reliability and safety.
The storage component has not been finalized, but battery modules typically have a useful life of 15–20 years, with planned replacement or augmentation over time to maintain performance.
The biggest issue in the northeast is that regulations have not caught up to the need for batteries. The region needs more energy storage. The biggest issue facing the industry is the small percentage of energy storage systems that have had failures. Although the percentage of failure is less than 0.01% and best practices are continually evolving, the negative publicity makes it more difficult to permit projects locally.
How do they compare to battery storage? There are at least three 100MW+ Battery Energy Storage Systems operating in New Englan (Medway MA 250 MW, Gorham ME 175 MW, Carver MA 150 MW).
Questions About This Project
This project is connected directly to the electric grid. It is not connected to any one project or source of electricity. The project will not differentiate between electricity produced from fossil fuels or from wind or solar. Although it is located near the cable for the 400 MW Revolution Wind project, it is not directly connected or dependent on the offshore wind project.
The project is still in design and final costs have not been determined. All construction costs fully funded by GDQ-ESS including the new fire station and infrastructure to be owned and operated by Rhode Island Energy (switchyard). Revenue from operation will be market-based or based on programs subject to regulatory review at a regional level.
From the introduction in the EFSB Application:
The purpose of the Project is to offtake and store energy from the electrical grid during periods of relative energy surplus and release the energy back to the grid during periods of relative energy shortage. The Project will help the State of Rhode Island meet the goals of the 2024 Energy Storage Systems Act and the “Energy 2035” State Energy Plan.
When was this project approved? By what process? How was the approval communicated to the Town of North Kingstown? This project has not been approved. The permitting authority is the RI Energy Facilities Siting Board (“EFSB”). The application page can be found in the resources section of this website. A preliminary hearing was held on April 28. The EFSB will request Advisory Opinions from multiple public authorities including the Town of North Kingstown.
The facility is not operational yet.
Total project costs are not finalized. GDQ ESS, LLC is paying for all development and construction costs.
GDQ ESS, LLC will own the facility.
The power will likely be sold into the regional wholesale market and forward capacity market.
QDC is the landowner and is a co-applicant on this project. Rhode Island Energy is involved on interconnection components of the project and has intervened in the Energy Facilities Siting Board process.
This project is unrelated to Revolution Wind and the two projects do not work together.
This project is unrelated to Revolution Wind and the two projects do not work together.
Unsure and not applicable to this energy storage project.
The storage component of the project has not been finalized, and different vendors have different form factors.
The project is still in design and final permitting with EFSB but we are working with local and regional firms such as McCue Environmental for wetlands studies, Kevin M. Alverson landscape architects, DiPrete Engineering for soil evaluations, EDR for visuals, Exponent Inc. for EMF studies, and Noise Control Engineering for noise assessment. Many state agencies also have review authority directly with EFSB through the advisory opinion process including RIDOT, RIDEM, RIDOH, RIHPHC, and others.
The Town of North Kingstown will be asked to give an Advisory Opinion to the Energy Facilities Siting Board.
The project is rated for 208MW. The storage component of the project has not been finalized but is proposed as 6 hours of capacity.
The storage component of the project has not been finalized but is proposed to include 6 hours of storage capacity.
The project is a long-term energy infrastructure asset with an expected life of about 20 years, with the potential for continued operation through equipment upgrades and battery replacement.
Batteries from the facility will be reused where possible and otherwise recycled through established, regulated channels, ensuring materials are recovered and managed responsibly at the end of their service life.
This project is expected to generate revenue by selling power and capacity into regional power markets.
Noise Control Engineering prepared a noise study that is included in Appendix I of the siting report submitted to EFSB. Links are available on the project website.
The final configuration has not been selected. As proposed, the system would be designed so that its full rated capacity is available when needed to support the electric grid.
We do not see disadvantages to the proposed site. The advantages are the proximity to transmission lines, industrial nature of the surrounding area, existing utility transmission infrastructure in close proximity, and a previously disturbed site.
The storage site and switchyard are not permanently staffed facilities. The project is designed with 24/7 remote monitoring as well as cameras at the storage site. Scheduled periodic maintenance will occur and as needed site visits as warranted. The sites are secure with perimeter fencing and access control including fire department knox boxes for emergency responders.
The facility is required to be North American Reliability Corp (NERC) compliant per the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure reliability and security of the bulk power system across North America.
The facility is required to be North American Reliability Corp (NERC) compliant per the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure reliability and security of the bulk power system across North America.
All construction costs fully funded by GDQ-ESS including the new fire station. Revenue from operation will be market-based or based on programs subject to regulatory review at a regional level.
GDQ ESS, LLC will pay a lease payment to QDC.
Losses associated with the project between the storage segment and the injection point to transmission were evaluated as part of the ISO Impact Study.
A megawatt (MW) measures power, not stored energy. Battery capacity is measured in megawatt-hours (MWh). While different forms of energy can be compared mathematically to other forms (such as TNT), battery systems do not behave like explosives and are not capable of releasing energy instantaneously in that way.
A Hazard Mitigation Plan is forthcoming that is site and technology specific. Procurement of specific battery storage equipment cannot begin until the EFSB process is concluded. The HMA will reflect the selected technology.
Low level security and dark sky compliant lighting is expected at the control houses at the switchyard and substation and first responder station. Other site lighting will be provided but operated on/off in the event of a night time response.
No – the interconnection agreement is finalized with the regional grid operator and cannot grow in size without restudying the project through a multi-year process.
The project is proposed adjacent to transmission lines on a previously disturbed site. The businesses will not be using the power.
The permitting authority is the RI Energy Facilities Siting Board. Through their approval process, Advisory Opinions will be requested from stakeholders and will likely include: Town of North Kingstown, RI Public Utilities Commission, RI Department of Environmental Management, RI Office of Energy Resources, RI Division of Statewide Planning, RI Historic Preservation & Heritage Commission, RI Department of Transportation, RI Department of Health, Quonset Development Corporation, and RI State Building Office & Fire Marshall.
This project is still in development, but we anticipate participating in the wholesale and capacity power markets through ISO-NE.
The specific battery modules will be selected later in the design process to ensure that the technology selected is the most up-to-date and incorporates best practices for reliability and safety. The inverters are made by Sungrow, a global company with over 870 GW cumulative installed capacity of power electronic converters.
The project will be connected to transmission lines to support regional energy infrastructure. It is impossible to predict the volume of electrons that will be used in the state vs travelling over the borders via transmission lines.
The project remains in permitting with EFSB so batteries have not been procured at this time.
There is no ongoing acoustical testing that is planned.
One of the objectives of energy storage is to dispatch energy more efficiently to achieve cost savings over the entire system. It is too early to determine how regulators will evaluate this project in terms of rates, but any revenue from operation will be market-based or based on programs subject to regulatory review.
Not that we are aware of. It may qualify for federal tax credits.
The project will use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. This chemistry is widely used in utility-scale systems because it is inherently more stable than other lithium-ion technologies. LFP is selected specifically for its strong safety profile, and it is combined with engineered controls and monitoring systems to ensure safe operation.
The project size is directly comparable to many installed and operating utility scale battery projects in the US.
The question is unclear.
? To our knowledge, there are no new incineration projects proposed in RI. The EPA has determined that pyrolysis is not incineration. This battery energy storage system is unrelated and totally separate from the proposed biosolids pyrolysis facility. One project is not dependent on the other.
The two access roads from Callahan Road into the substation and battery storage site as well as the interconnecting access internal access road will be paved for first responder use and access. There will most likely be gravel or crushed stone between the energy storage containers. The frontage outside the fence on Callahan Road will be loamed and seeded and a buffer of low shrubs installed. The stormwater and perimeter areas will also be loam and seeded. Approximately 40% of the site will be grass or otherwise landscaped.
60 direct, indirect, and induced jobs are anticipated during construction and 10 direct, indirect, and induced jobs are expected when the project is in operation.
Batteries from the facility will be reused where possible and otherwise recycled through established, regulated channels, ensuring materials are recovered and managed responsibly at the end of their service life. The project owner is responsible for decommissioning.
The containers are developed in compliance with all local and federal building, electrical, and fire codes which prioritize protection of the battery units from damage. The battery project is designed with an 8’ perimeter fence with controlled access.
The third party historical and wetlands teams are private local certified experts in Rhode Island.
Our goal is to keep any road closures during construction to a minimum. We will strive to keep at lease one lane open and maintain well marked detours. Any disruptions will be approximately 1 week or less and coordinated in advance with QDC, the Town of North Kingstown and Golf Course, and RIDOT.
The facility is required to be North American Reliability Corp (NERC) compliant per the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure reliability and security of the bulk power system across North America.
The capital costs for constructing the switchyard are by the project owner. The project will also be subject to Direct Assignment Facilities charges (DAF) for the switchyard based on our LGIA (Large Generator Interconnection Agreement) and the interconnection tariff. That is intended to cover any O&M for the switchyard for the life of the project.
The Town of North Kingstown will be asked to give an Advisory Opinion to the Energy Facilities Siting Board (“EFSB”). The EFSB is the ultimate permitting authority for this project because it is considered a major energy facility.
We cannot stop drones beyond the rules put in place by the FAA and the RI Airport Corporation.
Questions About Fire
Moss Landing was the location for at least four separate energy storage projects. The investigation of the January 2025 fire at Moss Landing 3 (Vistra Moss 300) remains ongoing. The January 2025 fire was a legacy indoor battery installation within a 1950’s error former power station. Containers had limited isolation across two stories of the building. Current codes favor outdoor, containerized design addressing ventilation, monitoring, and separation/isolation. This project also proposes LFP battery chemistry versus the Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt chemistry used at Moss Landing 3.
We have not had any meetings with state fire officials since January 2025 when the most recent Moss Landing fire occurred although the advisory opinion process will allow for their input.
We are partnering with the Energy Safety Response group who will help GDQ ESS prepare a site-specific emergency response plan using the most current information and best practices. Current recommendations direct first responders to stay outside of the fenced area and take steps to keep surrounding areas cool to prevent a fire incident from propagating.
Despite rapid deployment (over 25,000% growth since 2018), incidents remain infrequent, with only 23 reported in the U.S. over the last 10 years. This is roughly a failure rate of 0.005% per year.
Yes. Site and equipment specific training will be provided to first responders.
There is adequate water to appropriately respond to a potential incident.
These batteries do not spontaneously combust. Documented thermal events are typically associated with identifiable conditions such as physical damage, manufacturing defects, or electrical/thermal stress. In utility-scale systems, those conditions are specifically anticipated and mitigated through engineering design, monitoring, and controls.
The primary first responders to this project are the Town of North Kingstown Fire Department. First Responder Training is an integral part of the project plan that will be conducted in conjunction with commissioning. The Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Response Plans will be reviewed as well as training on the site to view the systems, hazards, and recommended response.
No additional equipment has been identified at this point in the process. The project needs sign off from the State Fire Marshall and we will continue working closely with the Town of North Kingstown Fire Department to make sure all of their needs are met in case they need to respond to an event at the site.
Where are the responders to that system located? We have been a Lead Market Participant with ISO-NE for 10 years. Our assets are visible and controllable through our Designated Entity (DE) Dispatch Location. We anticipate contracting the same company to monitor and control the proposed Battery Energy Storage System.
The first responder station will provide communication access to the designated subject matter expert and control center.
The project will use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. This chemistry is widely used in utility-scale systems because it is inherently more stable than other lithium-ion technologies. LFP is selected specifically for its strong safety profile, and it is combined with engineered controls and monitoring systems to ensure safe operation.
We will work with the Town of North Kingstown and the Quonset Development Corporation directly on the Emergency Response Plan and Hazard Mitigation Plan as well as first responder training.
The North Kingstown Fire Department will be the primary responder and could utilize the Code Red system if warranted.
Chemicals are not used to fight battery fires. Water is used to cool surrounding containers and protect the area around a fire.
Moss Landing was the location for at least four separate energy storage projects. The investigation of the January 2025 fire at Moss Landing 3 (Vistra Moss 3) remains ongoing. The January 2025 fire was a legacy indoor battery installation within a 1950’s error former power station. Containers had limited isolation across two stories of the building. Current codes favor outdoor, containerized design addressing ventilation, monitoring, and separation/isolation.
The state fire marshal is the permitting authority and the Town of North Kingstown is the responding jurisdiction.
This is a battery storage vendor specific design and varies by technology. This will be addressed in the Emergency Response and Hazard Mitigation plans based on the final selection in procurement.
Following the training final copies of the ERP and HMA will be issued and retained onsite at the first responder station and a copy for the Town of NK Fire Department records.
The current standard practice is to let the fire dissipate while maintaining /protecting the area around it. Putting large volumes of water directly onto a battery fire can cause further propagation and prolong the event. The Hazard Mitigation Plan, Emergency Response Plan, and First Responder Training will provide recommendations.
Questions About the Environment
No adverse impacts on the environment or local community are anticipated from the energy storage system.
The proposed energy storage project is not expected to have any impact on groundwater whatsoever. Furthermore, the groundwater under this particular site is not used by the surrounding area and is classified throughout Quonset as GB by RIDEM. GB designates areas that may not be suitable for drinking water use without treatment due to known or presumed degradation.
We have not selected a battery module yet.
The groundwater will not be impacted during construction or operation. Furthermore, the groundwater under this particular site is not used by the surrounding area and is classified throughout Quonset as GB by RIDEM. GB designates areas that may not be suitable for drinking water use without treatment due to known or presumed degradation.
Under normal operations there are no emissions associated with this facility.
With respect to a battery fire:
“In experiments conducted by FRA on LFP batteeries, 85-92% of the gas volume produced was composed of three gas species, H2, CO2, and CO with H2 comprising the greatest percentage.”
“It has been shown that fires involving BESS share many similarities with conventional fires, particularly those involving plastics, in terms of combustion byproducts”
Air sampling from past incidents has found that contaminant concentrations beyond the immediate fire scene do not pose a public health risk”
Source: Assessment of Potential Impacts of Fires at BESS Facilities August 21, 2025, prepared by Fire & Risk Alliance, LLC
The facility is designed to prevent abnormal conditions and to control and contain them if they occur. The approach is to detect early, isolate quickly, and control any release, combined with site design and emergency planning to protect nearby properties.
Further, “A key concern in BESS Fre events is the release of toxic gases, but studies indicate that emissions are largely confined to the immediate vicinity of the fire, with rapid dissipation and concrentration reduction in open-air scenarios
Source: Assessment of Potential Impacts of Fires at BESS Facilities August 21, 2025, prepared by Fire & Risk Alliance, LLC
The facility is designed to withstand severe weather through elevation, drainage, and structural anchoring, with automatic shutdown systems to keep the site in a safe condition even under extreme scenarios.
Will there be outgassing of air pollutants during normal operations? Under normal operating conditions, the facility does not produce or release air emissions or pollutants
Further, “A key concern in BESS Fre events is the release of toxic gases, but studies indicate that emissions are largely confined to the immediate vicinity of the fire, with rapid dissipation and concrentration reduction in open-air scenarios
Source: Assessment of Potential Impacts of Fires at BESS Facilities August 21, 2025, prepared by Fire & Risk Alliance, LLC
The facility is designed with multiple layers of protection to prevent, contain, and control any potential release under extreme conditions.
Any EMF contribution of the project will be evaluated throughout the permitting process. The facility will be designed and operated to meet or be below applicable EMF guidelines, consistent with other utility infrastructure already in the area.
The groundwater will not be impacted during construction or operation. Furthermore, the groundwater under this particular site is not used by the surrounding community and is classified throughout Quonset as GB by RIDEM. GB designates areas that may not be suitable for drinking water use without treatment due to known or presumed degradation.
There is no freshwater stream in direct proximity to this project. Stormwater quality and runoff rates are managed through basins and ponds prior to discharging to the closed drainage system.
Questions About the Golf Courses
The noise will be mitigated to meet the Quonset standards of 65 dBA and in all cases are below 90 dBA that is an OSHA threshold level for an 8-hour exposure without mandatory hearing protection. An EMF study was also prepared that showed no impacts. See Appendixes I and J respectively in the siting report for the full reports.
The northern adjacent parcels to the golf course will be redeveloped as part of the project so views will change. These are industrial sites within Quonset planned for development.
Currently there is an 8’ perimeter screening fence that is proposed. We are coordinating with the Town of NK for additional buffering between the project site and the golf course. That process is ongoing.
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Get in touch with GDQ ESS
Have questions about the project, the site, or upcoming hearings? Send us a message and our team will respond promptly.