PR for Battery Energy Storage
Learn how our research-driven messaging and educational design helped inform policy and counter misinformation to build public support for battery storage in Southern California.
Background: Cleantech San Diego’s Regional Role
Cleantech San Diego is a member-based business association that positions the greater San Diego region as a global leader in the cleantech economy. The organization fosters collaboration across the private, public and academic sectors, engages in advocacy to advance cleantech priorities, supports energy entrepreneurs through the Southern California Energy Innovation Network and promotes more equitable investment across the region.
Situation: Public Concern and Policy Risk
In late 2024, pressure was mounting at the local, county and state levels to implement siting restrictions for battery storage projects. These restrictions would have resulted in a de facto moratorium on new development.
Cleantech San Diego and its members needed to clearly communicate the safety and benefits of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to local lawmakers, business leaders and residents. The goal was to inform public understanding and influence policymaking with accurate, accessible and credible information.
Solution: Research-Led Education and Design
Cleantech San Diego engaged California PR agency WOC | Signal to lead an education and outreach program centered on original research and evidence-based messaging. The program featured a robust public opinion survey that we supported with carefully researched and relevant safety, environmental and grid reliability data.
Specifically, we:
Designed and fielded a statistically valid public opinion survey measuring attitudes toward clean energy and battery storage
Developed clear, fact-based messaging grounded in BESS safety, environmental performance and grid reliability data
Translated complex findings into simple, accessible outreach materials for policymakers, business leaders and the public
Created a cohesive, easy-to-follow branded look and feel to ensure clarity, credibility and consistency across all materials
