The hazards of new energy storage

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.

What happens if an energy storage system fails?

Any failure of an energy storage system poses the potential for significant financial loss. At the utility scale, ESSs are most often multi-megawatt-sized systems that consist of thousands or millions of individual Li-ion battery cells.

Are energy storage systems safe?

Around the globe energy storage systems are being installed at an unprecedented rate, and for good reasons. There are a lot of benefits that energy storage systems (ESS) can provide, but along with those benefits come some hazards that need to be considered.

Are grid-scale battery energy storage systems safe?

Despite widely known hazards and safety design, grid-scale battery energy storage systems are not considered as safe as other industries such as chemical, aviation, nuclear, and petroleum. There is a lack of established risk management schemes and models for these systems.

What happens if a battery energy storage system is damaged?

Battery Energy Storage System accidents often incur severe losses in the form of human health and safety, damage to the property, and energy production losses.

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.