COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — For several months, the prospect of a Battery Energy Storage System built near two schools has generated debate in Comstock Township. Developers said the project has been in the works since 2023.
A Battery Energy Storage System, or BESS, would charge large batteries at night and release the energy during peak electricity use during the day. A section of land along E Main Street in Comstock Township could have two BESS collecting power. The proposal comes from Denmark-based Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
Right next door to the Swan Battery Energy Storage sits the future Comstock STEM Academy and beyond that is Comstock Elementary. District Superintendent Jeff Thoenes said concerns over the battery site have been brought up to the Board of Education before. Recently, the board opted to get a risk analysis compiled by a third-party firm.
The site of the new Comstock STEM Academy. (Aug. 28, 2025)
The 5-page report from Ann Arbor-based CTC Engineering LLC reviewed equipment being used, safety and its failure modes if an issue occurs. It highlighted safety measures and that lithium-iron phosphate cells used in the batteries are considered to have a reduced chance of uncontrolled heating that can lead to a fire compared to other lithium-based batteries.
“The lithium iron phosphate battery, however, is a safer battery in that they have built-in protections that prevent overcharging, over-discharging and short circuiting. They have a more stable chemistry than their lithium metal counterparts. They also have a lower operating temperature with reduces their risk of thermal runaway,” the report states.
However, the report shared concerns about gases being released in an emergency.
“The BESS, on the other hand, contains a potential of 400MW of ‘stored energy,’” it read. “If a portion of this energy is released in a conflagration, it would be, in our opinion, given the proximity of the schools, an event that would result in their immediate sheltering and/or evacuation.”
Thoenes said the report was provided to board members on August 11.
“Given the proximity and the potential for danger, the engineer said that it’s much too close to a school where it’s proposed,” Thoenes said.
Right before this Monday’s school board meeting, a firm working with developers sent a letter responding to the report.
It outlined that only small amounts of toxic and flammable gases were released under extreme testing and that most impacts of an unlikely emergency would stay on site, not reaching the academy.
“Large-scale testing of the JF2 system has shown that thermal runaway does not propagate between modules, making the involvement of an entire container in a flaming event unlikely,” Jensen Hughes Market Director Michael Townsend said.
“The dispersion analysis further indicates that, in the event of a failure, the release of hazardous materials would largely remain confined to the site boundaries,” he said. “Although limited toxic gas impacts could extend up to 135 feet from the BESS, they would not reach the nearest occupied areas. The BESS will not emit hazardous materials during regular operation. In the unlikely event of a battery failure, any potential emissions are not expected to affect the Comstock STEM Academy.”
Board members read the letter during a 10-minute break.
“The board still looked at that as if there was still a chance, why take the chance with children when there could be potential other locations available?” said Thoenes.
The ITC Jaguar site on Main Street in Comstock Township. (Aug. 28, 2025)
He said the board voted to oppose the construction. At the township level, a moratorium for large energy projects has been in effect since near the start of the year, preventing site plans and other documents from being submitted for the project and others like it.
Township Supervisor Ben Martin said the pause is giving moratorium committee members time to learn more about battery storage and review and change rules that the energy developments would have to follow.
Martin said that during Thursday’s joint planning and moratorium committee meeting, they are reviewing what types of zoned land BESSs can be built on. He says this is sensitive work on a divisive issue.
“You have economic incentives and business and development, but then you also have the health, safety and welfare and, you know, you want to tow the line, but everything needs to be needs to be safe,” said Martin.
Responding to the concerns
In a statement to News 8, developers of the Swan & Cygnet Energy Storage systems they have been working with community leaders to address a growing need for energy in a safe way.
“We remain committed to delivering a project designed with safety as the highest priority and the community in mind, including setbacks that exceed standards outlined in both Comstock’s existing ordinance and in Michigan’s state regulations,” they said.
Officials said the technology is unfamiliar and are working to answer questions and address safety concerns. They expect to host a presentation next Thursday to review project plans, design features, and operating protocols as part of the Comstock Moratorium Committee and Planning Commission joint meeting.
