Ensuring Safety of Battery Energy Storage Systems: Prevention and Mitigation Strategies

Battery energy storage is at the cusp of major growth with rapidly accelerating pace of deployments in residential, industrial and grid applications. Majority of these installations are based lithium-ion battery technology. Over the last few years, there have a number of safety incidents causing significant public concern on the risks associated with large battery energy storage systems. Mitigating risk of explosion and fire within BESS is an engineering challenge. Knowledge and awareness about potential hazards associated with cells, batteries and energy storage systems helps in minimizing risks and supports development and adoption of best practices to improve safety. We need to make sure stakeholders are adequately informed of the risk they can accept and are fully prepared to deal with any potential failures. We also need to adequately address current gaps in safety research and develop robust safety standards and protocols for safe operation of deployed systems. This presentation gives an overview of safety aspects of battery energy storage systems and the industry's efforts to adapt best practices to reduce risk of safety incidents.