Field risk analysis of energy storage industry

What are energy storage safety gaps?

Energy storage safety gaps identified in 2014 and 2023. Several gap areas were identified for validated safety and reliability, with an emphasis on Li-ion system design and operation but a recognition that significant research is needed to identify the risks of emerging technologies.

What is Xiao & Xu's risk assessment system for Lib energy storage power stations?

Xiao and Xu (2022) established a risk assessment system for the operation of LIB energy storage power stations and used combination weighting and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methods to evaluate the existing four energy storage power stations.

What's new in energy storage safety?

Since the publication of the first Energy Storage Safety Strategic Plan in 2014, there have been introductions of new technologies, new use cases, and new codes, standards, regulations, and testing methods. Additionally, failures in deployed energy storage systems (ESS) have led to new emergency response best practices.

Can energy storage systems be scaled up?

The energy storage system can be scaled up by adding more flywheels. Flywheels are not generally attractive for large-scale grid support services that require many kWh or MWh of energy storage because of the cost, safety, and space requirements. The most prominent safety issue in flywheels is failure of the rotor while it is rotating.

What are the safety concerns with thermal energy storage?

The main safety concerns with thermal energy storage are all heat-related. Good thermal insulation is needed to reduce heat losses as well as to prevent burns and other heat-related injuries. Molten salt storage requires consideration of the toxicity of the materials and difficulty of handling corrosive fluids.

Why is energy storage important?

Energy storage has emerged as an integral component of a resilient and efficient electric grid, with a diverse array of applications. The widespread deployment of energy storage requires confidence across stakeholder groups (e.g., manufacturers, regulators, insurers, and consumers) in the safety and reliability of the technology.