Energy Storage Permitting Guidebook - Report - Page 30
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Energy Storage Guidebook
Trainings and Resources for Automated
Permitting Systems
Training for AHJ staff and project contractors/installers can help ease the transition to using automated
permitting systems and ensure that permitting documentation is submitted correctly the first time to reduce
time and frequency of resubmissions. Trainings are categorized by audience and topic on the Resources page
of the Energy Storage Permitting Guidebook website.
Glossary
AUTHORITIES HAVING JURISDICTION (AHJs)
Agencies that issue building permits. AHJs in California include cities and counties, who oversee most
of the permitting in their area, and state and federal agencies, who oversee permitting for certain kinds
of facilities or properties, such as K-12 schools or military bases, respectively.
AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH (ATS)
A device that allows the supply to a panelboard to switch between multiple sources.
BACKUP INITIATION DEVICE (BID)
A generic term to describe a device that isolates an energy storage system from the utility grid in the
event of a utility outage
BEHIND-THE-METER (BTM)
Electricity end users almost always have a meter at their site that calculates the amount of energy
consumed from the grid. A behind-the-meter installation refers to any equipment that is connected to
circuits on the customer side of the meter (Marsh, 2020).
CAPACITY
Energy storage system capacity is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and is a measurement of
the power stored in the device. It provides an indication of electrical power that can be supplied over a
given time unit (McLaren, 2016).
COMMERCIAL SECTOR
Businesses, government agencies, and other organizations that provide services or goods.
DC-COUPLED BATTERY
Part of an energy storage system consisting of matched components with a DC output.
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS (ESS)
Energy storage technologies store electricity as another form of energy (for example, electrochemical,
mechanical, thermal, and so forth) so it can be used to meet or shift power demand. “One or more
devices, assembled together, capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a future
time” (California Fire Code [CFC], 2019, Section 202).
GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG)
Greenhouse gases contribute to global climate change by altering the heat balance of the atmosphere.
