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.

Are energy storage systems flammable?

These systems combine high energy materials with highly flammable electrolytes. Consequently, one of the main threats for this type of energy storage facility is fire, which can have a significant impact on the viability of the installation.

What are battery storage fire safety initiatives?

These initiatives have included creating a battery storage fire safety roadmap, developing recommendations and leading practices for designing systems, and training and working with first responders responsible for putting out fires.

How can EPRI help protect battery energy storage systems?

EPRI is currently working on a range of resources to help improve the safety of battery energy storage systems called the Project Lifecycle Safety Toolkit. It will include everything from data sets to white papers and guidebooks that provide practical steps to mitigate the risk of a battery fire and to optimize the response in case it occurs.

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.

Are battery energy storage systems safe?

Owners of energy storage need to be sure that they can deploy systems safely. Over a recent 18-month period ending in early 2020, over two dozen large-scale battery energy storage sites around the world had experienced failures that resulted in destructive fires. In total, more than 180 MWh were involved in the fires.