Frequently Asked Questions
Invenergy is North America’s largest privately held developer, owner, and operator of energy solutions. Backed by 25 years of trusted execution and operational excellence, Invenergy develops, owns and operates smart, scalable energy solutions across solar, wind, energy storage, transmission, natural gas, and domestic manufacturing.
Headquartered in Chicago, Invenergy and its affiliates have successfully developed over 230 projects totaling more than 38 gigawatts and reliably operates over 20 gigawatts of large-scale power infrastructure projects across four continents.
Invenergy has been developing energy storage facilities for over a decade, with a portfolio of over 27 projects. Over that time, our team has developed expertise in designing, building, and operating battery energy storage facilities safely, responsibly, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Safety is a guiding principle that informs everything we do. We are committed to protecting our employees, communities and the environment in and around our project sites. Invenergy adheres to best practices and industry requirements in design, construction, and operations.  
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We develop Emergency Response Plans (ERP) and First Responder Guides/Manuals in collaboration with local fire departments and emergency response agencies before our projects begin commercial operation. A crucial aspect of Invenergy’s ERPs is holding training sessions with local first responders prior to the site coming online to ensure all on-site staff and emergency personnel are trained and equipped with the right tools and resources to handle any possible incident. 
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Additionally, our world-class control center is dedicated to the safe and effective operation of our facilities, monitoring 24/7/365. From our on-the-ground operators to the control center, Invenergy is committed to ensuring our systems operate safely. 
Invenergy acquired the Seahawk project from New Leaf Energy in Summer 2026. Invenergy and New Leaf Energy will continue working together over the coming months to ensure a transparent, community-focused transition.
The Seahawk Energy Project is a proposed 200-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage project in the College Lake area of the Pajaro Valley/Santa Cruz County. The proposed site is located at 90 Minto Road, Watsonville, on a parcel directly adjacent to PG&E’s existing Green Valley Substation.
The Green Valley substation is the only viable site for grid-scale battery storage in Santa Cruz County. Other sites considered that were adjacent to a PG&E substation lacked available land, which would have required lengthy and expensive overhead transmission lines which would come with a myriad of community and environmental impacts. There are also a limited number of substations on the California Independent System Operator's electricity grid that can interconnect with a battery storage system as proposed with the Seahawk project. The Green Valley substation on Minto Rd. is one such substation and it was recently upgraded by PG&E, saving costs for California ratepayers to implement the project.
Seahawk will help modernize grid infrastructure and improve energy reliability to support growing energy demand in Santa Cruz County and throughout the state.
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The electric grid in Santa Cruz County is vulnerable to service outages due to extreme local weather events and fire risk, as well as rolling blackouts in other parts of California that could prevent power from reaching Santa Cruz County.
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Battery storage capacity has grown enough in California to keep the state’s power grid operating smoothly even amid record heat waves in 2024. However, electricity demand has increased significantly over the last decade and is anticipated to continue due to planned population growth and increased electrification in the housing, transportation and agriculture sectors locally and throughout California.
Due to this growth, the California Independent System Operator, which manages California’s electricity grid, plans for substantial deployment of new energy storage projects over the next 10 years for grid reliability and resilience.
Absolutely. The project is going through the “opt-in certification process” with the California Energy Commission (CEC), which includes opportunities for continued public input. Since the first meeting at Amesti Elementary School with neighbors in December 2024, New Leaf Energy engaged with the community through presentations to local organizations and public meetings, and Invenergy will do the same as we assume ownership of the project.
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We also anticipate the CEC will provide additional opportunities for community input as the project moves through the permitting process. Ultimate authority in this process rests with the CEC. For more information about the CEC’s process, visit the California Energy Commission website.
Yes! The estimated net revenue generated for the county by the proposed battery storage facility is forecasted to be upwards of $50 million over a 20-year period, as estimated by an IMPLAN economic impact study. These benefits include:
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Approximately $2M annually in property tax revenue (approximately $41M over the life of the project) with allocations for County Services, schools, libraries, special districts, etc.
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Up to $8M in sales tax revenue from the construction of the facility and the purchase of additional batteries and supplies, with allocations for County services, public transport and transportation improvements, libraries, etc.
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Seahawk will also create short- and long-term local employment opportunities, including:
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Up to 50 jobs during peak construction
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5 long-term operations and maintenance jobs
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Over 750 direct, indirect and induced jobs in the County due to the construction of the facility
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50+ annual direct, indirect and induced jobs recurring from operations
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No. There are no other projects proposed in Santa Cruz County. The Green Valley substation is the only viable site for grid-scale battery storage in Santa Cruz County. The other two sites in Santa Cruz County that are adjacent to a PG&E substation lack available land and would require lengthy, overhead transmission lines with associated community and environmental impacts. 
The Seahawk Energy Storage project will include safety measures that follow the latest California guidelines and legislation, in contrast with older systems that have experienced significant safety issues. A fire like what happened at Moss Landing will not be possible at Seahawk due to drastic differences including: the batteries, the facility format and safety protocol.
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Safety standards have significantly improved since Moss Landing was built. Moss Landing was built before major industry standards and codes were even developed for energy storage. The project design and the incident are NOT representative of future projects like Seahawk.
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Here are a few critical differences between Moss Landing and Seahawk:
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1. The batteries: The Moss Landing facility used a Nickel Manganese Cobalt battery, which is more prone to overheating. Seahawk will use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are a significantly safer option for energy storage. We use this technology because it is the safest option for energy storage. We only use batteries that have successfully completed UL 9540A testing so we know exactly how they would act – and therefore how to react – in the rare case of a fire.
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2. Facility format: The Moss Landing installation is an anomaly among the industry. Less than one percent of utility-scale energy storage installations are housed indoors, as this one was. All Invenergy battery energy storage systems, including Seahawk, house their cells in outdoor rated, non-walk-in, fireproof containers. Containers are purposefully built, separated from each other by several feet, which restricts thermal runaway to a single container and prevents propagation of fire from container to container.
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These differences mean that the scale of a potential safety incident at Seahawk is vastly smaller than what took place at Moss Landing.
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3. Safety protocol:
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Invenergy complies with all federal and state standards for battery systems design. We carefully vet our equipment suppliers, including certification review, independent engineer due diligence review, and quality control review with third party witnessing.
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We only use equipment that has been tested to meet the highest safety standards. Seahawk will comply with current International Fire Code, federal battery fire safety standards (NFPA 855) and adhere to California Senate Bill (SB) 38 (Laird), which mandates detailed emergency action plans for battery storage facilities to protect the health and well-being of workers and surrounding communities. The Vistra facility at Moss Landing included none of the above.
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We install a battery management system that continually monitors the batteries for performance data and unsafe conditions and will automatically stop operations if the systems aren't running as they should be. 
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Each container is equipped with detection and alarm systems that immediately alert Invenergy, and we will alert the local fire department as needed. Our sites are monitored 24/7 at our Invenergy Control Center, where technicians receive real-time reporting on performance, voltage, temperature, and state of charge (SOC).
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We also work with local fire departments to develop detailed Emergency Response Plans before the site begins commercial operation and provide training to local first responders before and during operations to ensure everyone knows how to act in the rare case of a fire.
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The Vistra facility operated with batteries located in open-air and without separation, inside a converted power plant building. Further, the Moss Landing facility was built prior to the existence of SB 38 and the current federal fire standards for battery storage systems.
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No. In the unlikely event of a battery fire, water may be used to spray adjacent, unaffected battery containers to ensure they stay cool, but no water would be sprayed directly on the fire.
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We take careful measures to mitigate the risk of these rare incidents and have specific protocols in place to monitor the battery systems, manage any potential incidents safely, and mitigate any impact to the surrounding communities. In the event of an incident, Invenergy staff will work with local first responders in accordance with our emergency response plan to respond quickly and safely.  
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This starts by designing our sites to ensure our battery containers have ample space around them to mitigate outside exposure in the rare case of an incident. Invenergy employs lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are the safest option for energy storage. 
The project will not produce emissions or hazardous materials that impact groundwater during normal operation. In the unlikely event of a fire, best practice is to allow the battery system to self-extinguish, creating no runoff. 
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In general, fires at battery sites are rare and emissions are similar to a house or car fire, posing no hazards to human health. Water and soil testing that has been done after past comparable battery fires has shown no hazardous contamination levels requiring remediation. 
Our sites are monitored 24/7 at our Invenergy Control Center, where technicians receive real-time reporting on performance, voltage, temperature, and state of charge (SOC). If any begin performing differently, they can be isolated, shut down, replaced and decommissioned, as needed.
Yes. The project is being planned in collaboration with the Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District, Watsonville Fire Department and CALFIRE, with input from other nearby fire protection agencies, to ensure it meets or exceeds all relevant fire regulations.
Yes. We develop customized Emergency Response Plans (ERP) and First Responder Guides/Manuals in collaboration with local fire departments and emergency response agencies before our projects ever begin commercial operation.   
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A crucial aspect of Invenergy’s Emergency Response Plan is holding training sessions with local first responders prior to the site coming online, to ensure all on-site staff and emergency personnel are trained and equipped with the right tools and resources.
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In addition, Invenergy operations & maintenance employees go through extensive annual safety training, and we have dedicated on-site safety staff.     
Yes, the project will abide by all state laws including SB 38 and SB 283.
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Senate Bill 38 established protocols to protect the health and well-being of workers and surrounding communities, and Senate Bill 283 improves safety rules for battery energy storage facilities in the state. Key components of each law include:
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SB 38 requires the development of an Emergency Response Plan (ERP), to be created in close coordination with local emergency response agencies and submitted to local government, as well as a notification and communication procedure.
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SB 283 requires early engagement with local fire officials, including inspection before operations.
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We plan for the batteries to be charged by the existing electricity grid, which will most often be during peak solar hours.
Lithium-ion batteries are currently in production, while sodium ion is still in the research phase of development and not commercially viable at this time. Invenergy uses lithium-ion technology because of its increased resistance to thermal runway, making it a significantly safer option for energy storage projects.
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Invenergy chooses batteries that are proven and reliable, as well as current in their compliance with regulations, and will seek to select the most up-to-date model when the project moves forward to the appropriate stage.
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Once sodium ion batteries have reached production and have been proven to meet all safety and reliability requirements, we will evaluate whether it is appropriate for future projects.
Construction typically takes about 12 months. Hours of construction will occur during normal business hours, or whatever is mandated by the County. Most of the construction does not involve heavy machinery.
Invenergy designs every facility carefully to help protect both the site and the surrounding community. Utilizing controlled access points, perimeter fencing, and clear security signage, access is restricted to authorized personnel only. These measures help ensure the facility remains secure at all times. 
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We've also carefully designed the site's lighting to support both safety and security. The lighting is just enough to provide the visibility needed for safe operations while minimizing impacts on neighboring properties and the surrounding area. 
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Our facilities are continuously monitored by trained personnel at Invenergy’s Command Center using advanced monitoring systems and 24/7 remote monitoring capabilities. This allows us to respond quickly to any issue and helps us maintain reliable day-to-day operations. 
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Throughout the facility’s life, we monitor, maintain, and frequently inspect, our equipment using established maintenance and security protocols.  All electrical equipment is subject to strict lock-out, tag-out protocols to simultaneously keep qualified workers safe and restrict equipment from unwanted access.