Fire protection acceptance process for energy storage projects

What is battery energy storage fire prevention & mitigation?

In 2019, EPRI began the Battery Energy Storage Fire Prevention and Mitigation – Phase I research project, convened a group of experts, and conducted a series of energy storage site surveys and industry workshops to identify critical research and development (R&D) needs regarding battery safety.

What is an energy storage roadmap?

This roadmap provides necessary information to support owners, opera-tors, and developers of energy storage in proactively designing, building, operating, and maintaining these systems to minimize fire risk and ensure the safety of the public, operators, and environment.

What happened at Gateway energy storage facility?

On May 15, 2024, Gateway Energy Storage Facility in San Diego, California, experienced a BESS fire with continued flare-ups for seven days following the fire. The facility held about 15,000 nickel manganese cobalt lithium-ion batteries.

How are Bess installations evaluated for fire protection and Hazard Mitigation?

In 2020 and 2021, eight BESS installations were evaluated for fire protection and hazard mitigation using the ESIC Reference HMA. Review specifications, design drawings, performance data, and operations and maintenance documentation provided by the site host participant. Document important safety-relevant features (and lack thereof).

How do you prevent a fire?

Current guidance is to focus the response on preventing the spread of fire. Direct fire crews to let the fire burn itself out and to use water to prevent the spread of fire to neighboring batteries or other structures. Research is ongoing into the most effective method of water application to prevent spread.

How can thermal runaway cells reduce flammable gas?

Such cells would have higher thermal runaway on-set temperatures, release lower amounts of heat in thermal runaway, and release smaller amounts of less toxic, less flammable gas during such an event. Reaching this goal could remove much of the barrier complexity throughout the system.