Panola Grove Battery Energy Storage Project

GA

Rockdale County

200

MW BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)

15

Approximate Acres of Project

160,000

Homes

Supports grid reliability during peak demand or outages by powering roughly 160,000 homes for up to 4 hours.

What is Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) ?

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) stores electricity, improving grid reliability and efficiency, especially during outages or peak power demand.

Get the full picture of Panola Grove BESS.
Watch the video to see how this project will boost grid reliability, fit into the Rockdale community with minimal disruption, and help meet Georgia’s growing energy needs—safely and sustainably.

Video con subtítulos en español

How will it look in everyday life?

Watch the video simulations below—driving northbound and southbound—to see how Panola Grove BESS is thoughtfully designed to connect with existing grid infrastructure and blend into existing surroundings as much as possible.

The Panola Grove BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) Project is a proposed facility designed to enhance the reliability and resilience of the power grid. As the region continues to grow, this project will help ensure a consistent supply of electricity—especially during periods of high demand or unexpected outages. It’s thoughtfully designed with community awareness in mind, maintaining a low profile, and integrating into the natural surroundings as much as possible.

What do Battery Storage Projects Look Like

Physically, battery storage projects often resemble small storage units. Here's what they typically include:

Battery Containers: These are usually modular units housed in containers similar to shipping containers or small storage units. Each container holds racks of battery cells (often lithium-ion), along with thermal management and safety systems.
Inverters and Transformers: These convert Direct Current (“DC”) electricity from the batteries into Alternating Current (“AC”) electricity for grid use and vice versa.
Control Systems: These manage battery charging/discharging, safety protocols, and grid communication and exist within and outside the containers.
Cooling Systems: Batteries generate heat, so HVAC units and liquid cooling systems are often visible on the containers.
Security and Safety Infrastructure: Fencing, surveillance, fire suppression systems, and signage are standard.

Panola Grove Project Status

Why this location?

Rockdale County is a region of growing energy demand. This location was identified because:

Close to existing power infrastructure, minimizing the need for long, high voltage transmission lines

Supports growing energy needs in this fast-developing part of the region

Careful siting, based on ecological and environmental studies

Opportunities to support local job force and community partnerships

Designed to meet all safety and permitting requirements at the local, state, and federal levels

Strengthens the power grid, helping keep energy reliable during high demand or outages

We recognize that recent events have raised environmental concerns in the community.

Our goal is to share information transparently, collaborate with local officials, and develop safe, responsible practices that reflect the community’s values and priorities.

Investing in the Community

Here’s how the Panola Grove BESS Project will bring local economic growth:

Improved Grid Reliability: Helps prevent blackouts and brownouts during extreme weather or equipment failures.
Lower Energy Costs: Reduces the need for expensive peak-time energy generation.
Reinforcing Resilience: Supports the region’s ability to sustain new development, including advanced industries like data centers.
Low-Impact: No emissions, minimal noise, and no ongoing traffic once operational.
Local Economic Boost: Long-term substantial property tax revenues, construction jobs and increased business for local shops and services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are battery storage systems designed to manage fire safety?

Battery storage systems are designed with safety in mind. In the rare event of a fire, many systems now let small fires burn out safely inside individual enclosures to reduce risk of reignition and major damage. Batteries undergo rigorous pre-installation testing and must meet local, state, and federal regulations. Systems are equipped with thermal management, temperature sensors, and battery management systems that can shut down the battery system if extremes are detected. Fire detection and fire-proof barriers are standard. Facilities are monitored 24/7 by trained personnel, and emergency response plans are developed in coordination with local fire departments and first responders to ensure swift and informed handling of potential incidents. Together, these practices enable energy storage operations to maintain a safety record comparable to other trusted electrical technologies. Learn more about UL 9540A testing and NFPA 855.

How do energy storage facilities work with first responder safety?

Treaty Oak intends to follow national best practices and create detailed emergency response plans tailored to the project. These plans are typically developed with first responders and cover scenarios like fires, extreme weather, and security issues. They also include expert contacts and clear roles to ensure coordinated, safe responses.

Why do we need batteries to support the power grid?

Energy storage fundamentally improves the way we generate, deliver, and consume electricity. Battery energy storage systems can perform, among others, the following functions:

1. Improve system reliability by providing complimentary flexible generation to an increasingly intermittent generation mix.

2. Help provide back-up power during emergencies like blackouts from storms, equipment failures, or accidents.

3. Lower consumer energy costs by charging while energy prices are low and discharging during peak demand.

4. Balance power supply and demand instantaneously, which makes the electrical grid more reliable, resilient, efficient, and cleaner than ever before

Is this facility similar to BioLab?

No. Panola Grove BESS is not a chemical plant. We understand the community’s concerns and the history associated with BioLab. That’s why safety and transparency are at the heart of this project.

Here’s how Panola Grove BESS ensures safe operations:

No chemical stockpiles – Electricity is what’s managed – not raw materials.

Built-in safety systems – Includes fire suppression, temperature controls, and 24/7 monitoring with automatic shutdowns in the rare case needed.

Compliance with safety standards – Designed to meet national safety codes and undergo regular safety inspections.

Proven technology – Hundreds of BESS facilities operate safely around the world. Incidents are extremely rare, and the units to be used for this project are cutting-edge technology designed to operate safely throughout their lifespan.
Emergency readiness – We are working to ensure local responders will be trained in case of an emergency and we’re committed to staying connected with the local emergency personnel throughout planning, development, construction and operation.

Is this project like a data center?

No, the Panola Grove BESS is different from a data center. Here are some key reasons how the projects differ:

Purpose: Data centers consume large amounts of energy from the electric grid while BESS receives and stores energy with the ability to discharge energy back to the electric grid when needed.

Size: Data centers can span hundreds of acres. Panola Grove BESS will occupy about 15 acres—roughly the size of a small warehouse site.

Water use: Data centers often require significant water for cooling. BESS uses minimal water, primarily for fire safety testing or emergency response planning.