Summary of risks and hidden dangers of electrochemical energy storage power stations

What are the safety requirements for electrical energy storage systems?

Electrical energy storage (EES) systems - Part 5-3. Safety requirements for electrochemical based EES systems considering initially non-anticipated modifications, partial replacement, changing application, relocation and loading reused battery.

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'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 can worsen the damage from electrical hazards?

Electrical hazards such as electrical shock and arc flashes can cause serious harm to maintenance workers. The presence of conductive fluids such as water can worsen the extent of the damage. Energy storage systems with voltages above 50 V can cause serious harm to workers who may be exposed to live parts.

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.

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.