Northern California BESS Facility:
Equipment Yards & Maintenance Access
Project Type: Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Location: Northern California
Applications: Equipment storage yards, maintenance vehicle access, facility roads
Products Used: BaseCore HD 4" and 6" (85% of site civil), concrete (15%)
Key Outcome: Zero additional detention required—permeable surface handles stormwater on-site
The Challenge
A Northern California BESS developer needed civil infrastructure for a new battery storage facility. The site required:
- Equipment storage yards capable of handling heavy container deliveries and ongoing maintenance traffic
- Maintenance vehicle access that would stay trafficable year-round without routine regrading
- Stormwater management that wouldn't add cost, complexity, or footprint to the project
Traditional approaches presented tradeoffs. Full concrete paving would handle the loads but trigger detention basin requirements—adding cost and consuming valuable site area. Conventional aggregate would avoid detention but require ongoing maintenance and likely fail under repeated heavy traffic.
The developer needed a solution that delivered load support, long-term durability, and stormwater permeability in one system.
The Solution
The project team specified BaseCore HD geocells for 85% of the site's civil infrastructure, with concrete reserved for the remaining 15% where rigid pavement was specifically required.
BaseCore HD Configuration:
- 4" cell depth for maintenance vehicle routes and lighter-traffic areas
- 6" cell depth for equipment storage yards and heavy delivery routes
- Crushed stone aggregate infill compacted flush with cell tops
Why the 85/15 Split:
BaseCore HD handled the majority of the site—equipment yards, access roads, and maintenance routes—where permeability and load distribution mattered most. Concrete was used only where process requirements or specific equipment pads demanded rigid pavement.
This hybrid approach gave the facility the best of both: heavy-load capacity across the site, permeable surfaces that eliminated detention requirements, and rigid pavement only where actually needed.
Working with the Installer
BaseCore worked directly with the project's general contractor—an outside construction company managing site civil work.
Collaboration included:
- Section design recommendations matched to traffic loads and subgrade conditions
- Material quantities and specifications for procurement
- Installation guidance and technical support throughout construction
- On-site coordination to address field questions as they came up
The installer had not worked with geocell systems before this project. BaseCore's technical team provided the support needed to get the installation right the first time—proper panel expansion, connection details, aggregate placement, and compaction procedures.
Result: The contractor completed the BaseCore installation on schedule with no rework required.
Key Outcomes
No Additional Detention Required
The permeable BaseCore surface allows stormwater to infiltrate on-site rather than sheeting to collection systems. This eliminated the need for detention basins that would have been required with impermeable paving—saving cost, simplifying design, and preserving site area for productive use.
Low-Maintenance Facility Access
Equipment storage yards and maintenance routes built with BaseCore HD don't require the routine regrading that conventional aggregate surfaces demand. The confined aggregate stays in place under repeated traffic—no rutting, no migration, no seasonal repairs.
Heavy Load Capacity Where Needed
The 6" BaseCore HD sections in high-traffic areas handle container deliveries and heavy maintenance equipment. The 4" sections serve lighter maintenance vehicle routes. Each area is spec'd to its actual load requirements—no over-building, no under-building.
Long-Term Performance
BaseCore HD's 75+ year product life means the civil infrastructure installed during construction will still be performing decades from now. The facility gets roads and yards that match the operational life of the battery storage system itself.
Project Specifications
| Element | Specification |
|---|---|
| Project Type | Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) |
| Location | Northern California |
| BaseCore Coverage | 85% of site civil infrastructure |
| Products Used | BaseCore HD 4" and 6" |
| Concrete Coverage | 15% of site civil infrastructure |
| Applications | Equipment storage yards, maintenance vehicle access, facility roads |
| Stormwater Approach | Permeable surface—no additional detention required |
Products Used
BaseCore HD
- Cell depths: 4" (lighter traffic areas), 6" (heavy traffic areas)
- Cell aperture: 180mm x 218mm for maximum confinement
- Material: Virgin HDPE with double-welded seams
- Infill: Angular crushed stone, well-graded
BaseCore HD's smaller cell aperture provides the load distribution needed for heavy BESS equipment traffic while maintaining permeability for stormwater management.
Lessons for Your BESS Project
Permeability Can Eliminate Detention
If your site would otherwise require detention basins for impermeable paving, a permeable BaseCore system may eliminate that requirement entirely. Confirm with your local jurisdiction early in design—this can significantly impact project cost and site layout.
Hybrid Approaches Work
You don't have to choose all-concrete or all-aggregate. BaseCore handles the areas where permeability and load distribution matter most. Concrete goes where rigid pavement is specifically required. The 85/15 split on this project optimized cost and performance across the site.
Installer Support Matters
Contractors new to geocell systems can deliver quality installations with proper technical support. BaseCore's team works directly with installers to ensure the first project goes smoothly—setting them up for success on future projects as well.
Spec to Actual Loads
Different areas of a BESS site see different traffic. Heavy delivery routes need deeper cells (6"). Lighter maintenance access can use shallower cells (4"). Matching cell depth to actual load requirements optimizes material cost without sacrificing performance.
Get a Section + ROM for Your Project
Tell us about your project. We'll send back a recommended section, quantities, and budgetary pricing within 1-2 business days.
Budgetary only. Final design confirmed by your Engineer of Record. We typically respond within 1-2 business days.
888-511-1553