Entering the energy storage domain safety notice

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.

Why is safety important in energy storage systems?

Safety is fundamental to the development and design of energy storage systems. Each energy storage unit has multiple layers of prevention, protection and mitigation systems (detailed further in Section 4). These minimise the risk of overcharge, overheating or mechanical damage that could result in an incident such as a fire.

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.

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 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.

Why is safety management important for lithium-ion energy storage systems?

Safety management is a fundamental feature of all lithium-ion energy storage systems. Safety incidents are, on the whole, extremely rare due to the incorporation of prevention, protection and mitigation measures in the design and operation of storage systems.