Community Impact Statement
Community Impact Statement and Risk Assessment: Solar Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Near Emory, Texas
August 1, 2025
Introduction
This Community Impact Statement and Risk Assessment evaluates the potential negative impacts of installing a utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) using lithium-ion technology near Emory, Texas (ZIP code 75440), a small rural town in Rains County with a population of approximately 1,300. The assessment focuses on risks to the community, local environment, and two nearby lakes—Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni—critical to the region’s economy, recreation, and water supply. It emphasizes compelling evidence of hazards, drawing on Texas-specific cases and documented concerns from similar communities, to address potential threats to public safety, property values, and environmental integrity. As well as Community opposition has grown due to documented incidents and expert warnings, highlighting the inadequacy of current safeguards in preventing widespread harm.
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Stop the next environmental disaster article:
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/bess-battery-storage-hazardous-material/
The Danger of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Cities and Suburbs article:
https://www.alsym.com/blog/the-danger-of-lithium-ion-batteries-in-cities-and-suburbs/
Negative Environmental Impacts
- Land Use and Ecosystem Disruption: BESS facilities demand large tracts of land, resulting in habitat destruction, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss, particularly in sensitive areas near urban zones. ( https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/battery-storage-system/compass-energy-storage-project ) Compass Energy Storage LLC proposes to construct, own, and operate an approximately 250-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS). Construction and operation can contaminate local water bodies through chemical runoff or leaks, threatening aquatic life and downstream water supplies essential for community use. ( https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2021/ee/d1ee00691f ) Environmental impacts, pollution sources and pathways of spent lithium-ion batteries. In flood-prone regions, damaged systems exacerbate contamination, releasing hazardous materials that persist in the environment for years. (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d18087a6d78876a3fb0a27/Environmental_and_social_implications_of_energy_storage_technologies_-_report.pdf ) Net zero – Environmental implications of energy storage technologies.
- Chemical and Toxic Emissions: Failures in lithium-ion BESS release harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride (HF), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen cyanide (HCN), polluting air and soil and posing risks to nearby wildlife and vegetation. (https://wjarr.com/sites/default/files/WJARR-2024-1398.pdf) The safety and environmental impacts of battery storage systems in renewable energy. Upstream mining for battery materials causes water pollution and ecosystem damage, while end-of-life disposal contributes to hazardous waste accumulation, straining local landfills and increasing contamination risks. (https://greenly.earth/en-us/blog/industries/the-harmful-effects-of-our-lithium-batteries ) The Harmful Effects of our Lithium Batteries.
- (https://www.nwcouncil.org/2021powerplan_environmental-effects-battery-storage/ ) Environmental Effects of Generating Resources, Environmental Effects of Battery Storage.
- Noise, Visual, and Secondary Effects: Constant operational noise from cooling systems disrupts residential peace, while the industrial appearance of enclosures and fencing diminishes property values and community aesthetics.
( https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/battery-storage-system/compass-energy-storage-project ) Compass Energy Storage LLC proposes to construct, own, and operate an approximately 250-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS). Fires or explosions can lead to widespread soot and chemical deposition, further degrading local environments and complicating cleanup efforts. (https://mcrs18s4jyq010hs26x1kpc87hk8.pub.sfmc-content.com/4upg2xk2zhy ) The Battery Boom: Uncovering the Environmental Risks Lurking in Your Client’s Lithium-Ion Cells.
Negative Safety Impacts:
- Proximity to Populations: Siting BESS near homes, schools, or neighborhoods heightens the danger of fires and explosions, which have caused evacuations, shelter-in-place orders, and traffic disruptions in recent incidents.
(https://www.facebook.com/groups/184192198092935/posts/414365181742301/ )
Fire safety concerns as San Diego County attempts to regulate Battery Energy Storage Systems.
(https://www.energy-storage.news/us-epa-orders-ls-power-to-direct-gateway-bess-fire-cleanup/ ) US EPA orders LS Power to direct Gateway BESS fire cleanup. Toxic plumes from thermal runaway events travel far, exposing vulnerable groups like children and the elderly to respiratory issues, chemical burns, and long-term health problems.
(https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/parts/2406011part9.pdf ) Appendix G: Environmental Health and Safety Resource Report. For Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement on Utility-Scale Solar Energy Facilities in Washington State.
(https://blog.ucs.org/guest-commentary/5-things-to-know-about-battery-storage-safety-2/ )
Safety and Equity Must be Central to Battery Storage Development.
- Community Health and Emergency Strain: Exposure to emissions during failures can result in acute health effects, with historical events linking to injuries among first responders and residents. (https://sustainenergyres.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40807-023-00082-z ) Large-scale energy storage system: safety and risk assessment.
- (https://www.riskreductionreview.com/post/hazards-of-lithium-ion-battery-storage-lessons-from-the-otay-mesa-facility-fire ) Hazards of Lithium-Ion Battery Storage: Lessons from the Otay Mesa Facility Fire. Risk Reduction Review. Increased construction traffic and maintenance activities overburden local infrastructure, while emergency services face challenges from inadequate training for BESS-specific hazards, diverting resources and delaying responses to other crises. (https://www.fema.gov/case-study/emerging-hazards-battery-energy-storage-system-fires ) Emerging Hazards of Battery Energy Storage System Fires.
- Socioeconomic Repercussions: Safety fears erode community trust, sparking legal battles and project delays that impose economic costs on residents through potential remediation or lost productivity. (https://www.eenews.net/articles/states-and-counties-weigh-safety-risks-of-much-needed-energy-storage/ ) States and counties weigh safety risks of much-needed energy storage. Incidents like prolonged fires requiring millions of gallons of water highlight the financial and health toll on affected areas. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/3162400907401094/posts/3747706545537191/ )
- Stop the proposed Covington Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). In essence, BESS facilities near populated areas introduce disproportionate risks, with documented failures underscoring the potential for catastrophic environmental damage and safety threats that outweigh any perceived benefits, necessitating stringent opposition and alternative siting strategies. ( https://wjarr.com/sites/default/files/WJARR-2024-1398.pdf )
- The safety and environmental impacts of battery storage systems in renewable energy.
(https://storagewiki.epri.com/index.php?title=BESS_Failure_Incident_Database&oldid=5702)
Bibliographic details for BESS Failure Incident Database.
- Risk Assessment:
This assessment prioritizes the negative environmental and safety risks of BESS near populated areas, drawing from recent incidents and analyses. Likelihood ratings: Low (<1 in 10,000 years per facility), Medium (1 in 1,000-10,000 years), High (>1 in 1,000 years); Severity: Low (minor), Medium (localized), High (widespread harm). Data indicates rising incident rates, with 26 U.S. fires from 2012-2025, including multiple in 2024-2025 causing evacuations and contamination. (https://www.ercot.com/files/docs/2025/03/12/BESS-Events-in-the-West.pdf )
- BESS Events in the West March 14, 2025. (https://eticaag.com/thermal-runaway-in-battery-energy-storage-systems-bess/ ) Thermal runaway in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Mitigations are noted but often prove insufficient in real-world failures.
Risk Category | Description | Likelihood | Severity | Negative Community Impacts | Limited Mitigations (Often Inadequate) |
Thermal Runaway and Fire | Overheating triggers fires or explosions, as seen in 2024-2025 incidents at Otay Mesa, Gateway, and Escondido. https://www.energy-storage.news/us-epa-orders-ls-power-to-direct-gateway-bess-fire-cleanup/ https://eticaag.com/thermal-runaway-in-battery-energy-storage-systems-bess/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/3162400907401094/posts/3747706545537191/ | Medium | High | Evacuations, toxic smoke causing respiratory harm; fires lasting weeks, using millions of gallons of water and risking fatalities. https://sustainenergyres.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40807-023-00082-z | Monitoring and suppression systems, but failures persist despite these. https://intercalationstation.substack.com/p/playing-with-fire-an-analysis-of |
Toxic Gas and Chemical Releases | Emissions of HF, CO, HCN during failures contaminate air and water. | Medium | High | Health issues like chemical burns; long-term soil/water pollution affecting agriculture and drinking sources. https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/parts/2406011part9.pdf https://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_141066.shtml | Venting and containment, yet incidents show releases escape controls. https://www.riskreductionreview.com/post/hazards-of-lithium-ion-battery-storage-lessons-from-the-otay-mesa-facility-fire |
Explosion and Debris Hazards | Gas buildup leads to blasts ejecting debris. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S095042302200208X | Low-Medium | High | Injuries, property damage in nearby areas; responder risks. | Explosion vents and spacing, but proximity amplifies threats. https://www.klickitatcounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20979/KLICKITAT-COUNTY-BESS-REPORT-FINAL-DRAFT |
Electrical and Mechanical Hazards | Shocks, arc flashes from faults or maintenance. https://www.klickitatcounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20979/KLICKITAT-COUNTY-BESS-REPORT-FINAL-DRAFT | Medium | Medium | Outages or fires extending to communities; worker incidents indirectly affect locals. | Standards like NFPA 855, though enforcement gaps exist. https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/electrical/energy-storage-systems |
Natural Disaster Amplification | Floods or wildfires damage BESS, compounding releases. | Low (site-dependent) | High | Widespread contamination during crises; heightened urban vulnerability. | Elevated designs, but climate events overwhelm them. |
Residual risks remain high near populations, with failure rates underscoring the need for reevaluation of BESS deployments in such areas.
https://www.enerpoly.com/article/safety-is-the-new-performance-metric-for-energy-storage
https://www.energy-storage.news/kwh-analytics-bess-safety-concerns-have-risen-following-fires/
Community Impact Statement and Risk Assessment
- Disruption of Rural Character and Quality of Life
- Impact: The construction and operation of a BESS facility could significantly alter Emory’s quiet, rural character. Construction activities generate noise, dust, and increased traffic, while operational cooling systems produce continuous noise (50–60 dB, comparable to a conversation). These disruptions clash with the town’s tranquil lifestyle, valued by residents for its peace and small-town charm.
- Evidence: In Mason County, Texas, resident Christopher Dyer reported severe disruptions from BESS construction noise, requiring water features to mask the sound, highlighting the impact on quality of life. Similarly, in Harper, Texas, residents opposed the Rogers Draw BESS due to aesthetic degradation and noise concerns, which they felt threatened their rural identity.
- Community Concern: Emory’s close-knit community, centered around family homes, churches, and schools, may perceive a BESS as an industrial intrusion, eroding the town’s scenic appeal and sense of place. This aligns with “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) sentiments seen in Katy, Texas, where residents rejected a BESS near a school due to lifestyle impacts.
- Property Value Decline
- Impact: Proximity to a BESS could reduce property values due to perceived safety risks, noise, and visual impacts from large battery containers and associated solar infrastructure. Lower property values threaten residents’ financial stability and the town’s economic viability, particularly in a small community reliant on stable homeownership.
- Evidence: In Harper, Texas, residents cited property value concerns as a primary reason for opposing the Rogers Draw BESS, fearing that industrial facilities would deter buyers. In Mason County, Christopher Dyer reported being unable to sell his home after BESS construction began, attributing the issue to buyer concerns about safety and aesthetics. Studies suggest industrial developments near residential areas can reduce property values by 5–15%, depending on proximity and perceived risk.
- Community Concern: Property ownership is a cornerstone of Emory’s economy, and any devaluation could harm residents’ long-term financial security, fueling opposition similar to that seen in Gillespie County, where local resolutions targeted BESS developments.
- Strain on Local Infrastructure
- Impact: A BESS facility could overburden Emory’s limited infrastructure, particularly its volunteer fire department and emergency services. Construction traffic may damage rural roads, and operational demands could stress local utilities, diverting resources from residents’ needs.
- Evidence: In small Texas counties like Gillespie, residents expressed concerns about inadequate emergency response capabilities for BESS-related incidents, given the specialized nature of lithium-ion fires. The 2024 San Diego BESS fire, which burned for five days, required extensive resources beyond the capacity of a small town like Emory, highlighting potential infrastructure gaps.
- Community Concern: Rains County’s limited budget and reliance on volunteer services amplify fears that a BESS could stretch local resources, leaving the community vulnerable during emergencies and increasing taxpayer burdens for infrastructure repairs.
Risk Assessment
- Fire and Explosion Hazards
- Risk: Lithium-ion batteries in BESS can undergo thermal runaway, causing fires or, in rare cases, explosions that are difficult to extinguish. These incidents release toxic fumes (e.g., hydrogen fluoride) and require specialized firefighting techniques, posing significant risks to Emory’s residents, particularly near schools, homes, or churches.
- Evidence: Over the past decade, the U.S. reported 20 BESS fire incidents, including a 2019 Arizona explosion injuring four firefighters and a 2021 Beijing explosion killing two. In Texas, Harper residents opposed the Rogers Draw BESS due to its proximity to a school, citing fire risks like those in a 2024 California incident that disrupted nearby communities. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) notes that thermal runaway can be triggered by overcharging, physical damage, or defects, with fires potentially lasting days.
- Local Context: Emory’s small size and limited firefighting resources (volunteer-based) increase vulnerability. A prolonged fire could necessitate evacuations, disrupt access to State Highway 69, and endanger the town’s 1,300 residents. The lack of local training for lithium-ion fires exacerbates risks, as seen in South Korea’s 23 BESS fires in 2018.
- Likelihood: While rare (20 U.S. incidents in 10 years), the severity of potential fires, combined with Emory’s limited response capacity, makes this a critical concern.
- Water and Soil Contamination Risks to Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni
- Risk: Chemical leaks from damaged lithium-ion batteries or fire runoff could contaminate soil and groundwater, threatening Lake Fork (5 miles east of Emory) and Lake Tawakoni (approximately 20 miles southwest). These lakes support fishing, recreation, and regional water supplies, and contamination could devastate ecosystems and local economies.
- Evidence: Lithium-ion batteries contain hazardous chemicals like lithium hexafluorophosphate and heavy metals, which can leach into water sources during accidents or improper decommissioning. A 2019 Arizona BESS incident highlighted chemical leak risks, while Battle Creek, Michigan, residents raised concerns about aquifer contamination from a proposed BESS. Firefighting foam or runoff from a BESS fire could carry pollutants into the Sabine River watershed, which feeds both lakes, as noted in environmental studies for similar Texas projects.
- Local Context: Lake Fork, a premier bass fishing destination generating millions in tourism revenue, and Lake Tawakoni, a key water supply for nearby counties, are highly sensitive to pollution. Emory’s proximity to these water bodies amplifies risks, as even minor spills could have cascading effects on aquatic life and water quality, as seen in other regions with BESS incidents.
- Likelihood: Contamination risks are low with modern containment systems, but the absence of robust local waste management infrastructure and the high stakes for lake ecosystems make this a significant hazard.
- Long-Term Waste Management Challenges
- Risk: Lithium-ion batteries have a lifespan of 10–15 years, after which they require decommissioning and disposal. The lack of recycling infrastructure in rural areas like Rains County could lead to hazardous waste accumulation, posing long-term environmental risks to soil, water, and community health.
- Evidence: Global recycling for lithium-ion batteries remains underdeveloped, with only 5–10% of batteries recycled effectively. In Texas, rural counties lack facilities to handle industrial-scale battery waste, as noted in comptroller reports. Improper disposal could result in toxic leachate, threatening groundwater and nearby lakes, similar to concerns raised in Franklin County about renewable energy projects.
- Local Context: Emory’s small size and limited resources make it ill-equipped to manage BESS waste, increasing reliance on external contractors with uncertain accountability. Residents fear being left with environmental liabilities, as seen in other rural communities hosting industrial projects.
- Likelihood: High, given the current state of recycling infrastructure and the long-term nature of the risk.
- Ecosystem Disruption
- Risk: Clearing land for a BESS (typically 5–50 acres) could disrupt local ecosystems, including grasslands or habitats for birds and small mammals, particularly near Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni. Construction activities may also increase erosion, sending sediment into waterways feeding the lakes.
- Evidence: In Franklin County, near Emory, residents opposed renewable energy projects for disrupting farmland and wildlife habitats. BESS projects, like the Route 66 Solar + Battery Project, required thousands of acres, impacting local biodiversity. Erosion from construction has been documented in Texas solar projects, contributing to sediment pollution in nearby water bodies.
- Local Context: The Sabine River watershed, encompassing both lakes, supports diverse wildlife and fisheries critical to Emory’s economy. Habitat loss or sediment pollution could harm species like largemouth bass in Lake Fork, reducing tourism revenue, and affect water quality in Lake Tawakoni, a drinking water source.
- Likelihood: Moderate to high, depending on site selection, with poorly chosen sites near water bodies increasing risks.
Community and Policy Considerations
- BESS installations must comply with strict safety standards including NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) and NFPA 855 (Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems). These standards minimize risks by addressing fire safety, ventilation, and emergency planning.
- NFPA 855 (Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems).
- How does NFPA 855 apply to Texas BESS installations?
- https://www.tdi.texas.gov/fire/battery-energy-storage-systems.html
- NFPA 855
- Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems
- https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-855-standard-development/855
- What is NFPA 855?
- efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cleanpower.org/wp-content/uploads/gateway/2024/01/NFPA855_Safety_240111.pdf
- Community Opposition: Emory residents are likely to resist a BESS due to safety fears, environmental risks, and lifestyle impacts, as seen in Harper, Katy, and Mason Counties. Lack of transparency or inadequate public engagement could escalate tensions, as experienced in Gillespie County, where resolutions opposed BESS development.
- Economic Trade-Offs: While BESS may offer jobs or tax revenue, the potential for property value declines, tourism losses (e.g., Lake Fork fishing), and long-term environmental costs may outweigh benefits, particularly if risks materialize.
- Regulatory Gaps: Texas’s streamlined permitting encourages BESS growth but lacks robust local oversight. House Bills 5569 and 5572 propose stricter safety standards, but Rains County may need additional zoning restrictions to protect residents and lakes, as seen in Gillespie County.
Recommendations to Mitigate Risks
- Follow the NFPA and NFPA 855 codes to the strictest letter of the Codes. BESS installations must comply with strict safety standards including NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) and NFPA 855 (Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems). These standards minimize risks by addressing fire safety, ventilation, and emergency planning.
- NFPA 855 (Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems).
- How does NFPA 855 apply to Texas BESS installations? https://www.tdi.texas.gov/fire/battery-energy-storage-systems.html
- NFPA 855 Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-855-standard-development/855
- What is NFPA 855? efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cleanpower.org/wp-content/uploads/gateway/2024/01/NFPA855_Safety_240111.pdf
- Prohibit Sensitive Sites: Ban BESS development within 1,000 feet of Lake Fork, Lake Tawakoni, or residential areas to protect water resources and residents.
- Mandatory Emergency Planning: Require developers to fund training and equipment for Rains County’s fire department to handle lithium-ion fires, with multi-agency response plans.
- Environmental Safeguards: Mandate independent environmental impact assessments and install advanced spill containment systems to prevent lake contamination.
- Community Veto Power: Grant Emory residents the right to reject BESS projects through public votes or town hall meetings, ensuring local control.
- Decommissioning Bonds: Require developers to post bonds covering full decommissioning and disposal costs to prevent long-term waste liabilities.
Conclusion
A solar Battery Energy Storage System near Emory, Texas, poses significant risks to the community and environment, including fire hazards, potential contamination of Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni, property value declines, and disruption of rural life. Compelling evidence from Texas counties like Harper, Mason, and Gillespie highlights widespread concerns about safety, infrastructure strain, and long-term waste management. The high stakes for Emory’s lakes, critical to tourism and water supply, amplify these risks. Without stringent safeguards, local control, and robust mitigation, a BESS could undermine the community’s safety, economic stability, and environmental health, outweighing potential benefits. Rains County residents deserve a decisive voice in protecting their town and natural resources from these hazards.
102 Web Sites with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) Concerns
Fire Suppression in Battery Energy Storage Systems
- Lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) hazards – ScienceDirect | at sciencedirect.com
- There has been an increase in the development and deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in recent years. In particular, BESS using lithi…
- Battery Energy Storage System Recommendations – Ontario Federation of Agriculture | at ofa.on.ca
- Rains County, Texas | at co.rains.tx.us
- Request for Release of Funds and Affidavit of Posting · NOTICE OF 2018 TAX YEAR PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR RAINS COUNTY
- Rains County Appraisal District General Policy & Policies for Public Access – Rains CAD – Official Site | at rainscad.org
- Myportisabel | at myportisabel.com/documentcenter/view/816 The following steps are recommended: Assemble your disaster supplies kit with items such as flashlights, cell phones, extra batteries, battery chargers, portable radio, first aid kit, emergency water and food, medical supplies and equipment, non-electric can opener, highway map, important documents
- Full Community Costs of Wildfire – Headwaters Economics | at headwaterseconomics.org
- New BESS siting, fire regulations coming to Ottawa after government committee passes new guidelines | at
- Developers looking to build new BESS facilities in Canada’s capital will have to adhere to stricter regulations.
- energy-storage.news
- What is the true cost of a workplace fire? | Flaim | at
- Workplace fires represent a significant threat to businesses, leading to financial loss, disruption to business operations, workplace injuries, and sometimes loss of life. Understanding the true cost of these incidents highlights the critical importance of robust fire safety training and procedures · In the United States, approximately 16,500 fires occur in offices and stores annually, resulting in direct property damages totalling around $932 million
- com
- Thermal runaway still the biggest topic in battery storage insurance, says kWh Analytics | at
- Insurance company kWh Analytics considers thermal runaway the single most important risk that energy storage system developers must consider.
- energy-storage.news
- What Is Thermal Runaway In Batteries? | Dragonfly Energy | at
- Thermal runaway can destroy a battery or even start a fire. Understanding what causes it can help us build a better battery to prevent it.
- com
- Read FSRI’s Journal Article on Lithium-Ion Battery Explosion Hazards | at
- FSRI’s journal article investigates explosion hazards from lithium-ion battery thermal runaway gas.
- org
- A Focus on Battery Energy Storage Safety – EPRI Journal | EPRI Journal | at
- As lithium-ion batteries scale, mitigating the risk of battery energy storage fires becomes more important
- com
- Battery Hazards for Large Energy Storage Systems | ACS Energy Letters | at
- As one of the most promising new energy sources, the lithium-ion battery (LIB) and its assocd. safety concerns have attracted great research interest. Herein, a comprehensive review on the thermal hazards of LIBs and the corresponding countermeasures is provided. In general, the thermal hazards of the LIB can be caused or aggravated by several factors including phys., elec. and thermal factors, manufg. defect and even battery aging. Due to the activity and combustibility of traditional battery components, they usually possess a relatively high thermal hazard and a series of side reactions between electrodes and electrolytes may occur under abusive conditions, which would further lead to the thermal failure of LIBs. Besides, the thermal hazards generally manifest as the thermal runaway behaviors such as high-temp., ejection, combustion, explosion and toxic gases for a single battery, …
- acs.org
- Preventing thermal runaway in lithium-ion energy storage systems – Energy-Storage.News | at
- Safely managing the use of lithium-ion batteries in energy storage systems (ESS) should be priority number one for the industry. In this exclusive Guest Blog, Johnson Controls’ industry relations fellow Alan Elder, with over four decades of experience in the field of gaseous fire suppression systems and Derek Sandahl, product manager for the company’s engineered fire suppression products, talk about the best ways to achieve prevention of fire incidents stemming from thermal runaway in lithium cells.
- energy-storage.news
- What Is Thermal Runaway? | GreenLancer | at
- For battery storage facilities using lithium-ion batteries, BESS thermal runaway is a scary thought, but there are critical safety measures.
- com
- APS battery explosion in Arizona: New report tells what went wrong | at
- Neither APS nor first responders fully understood the risk posed by what started as a small equipment failure, report finds
- com
- New report reveals what caused APS battery explosion that hospitalized eight firefighters | at
- A new report, commissioned by APS, reveals what led up to the explosion at one of their battery storage facilities on April 19, 2019.
- com
- Equipment failure at McMicken Battery Facility | at
- An investigation with APS, first-responder representatives and third-party engineering and safety experts is underway into April 19 equipment failure at McMicken battery facility in Surprise.
- com
- Report: Four Firefighters Injured In Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage System Explosion – Arizona | The Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), … | at
- Get report on investigation near-miss Four Firefighters Injured In Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage System Explosion – Arizona
- org
- APS Details Cause of Battery Fire and Explosion, Proposes Safety Fixes | Greentech Media | at
- Utility recommends ventilation for explosive gases, more intense fire suppression and better training for first responders.
- com
- The Arizona Battery Explosion Is Changing Conventional Wisdom on Safety | Greentech Media | at
- Six months later, GTM gets an exclusive update from APS and Fluence on an event that’s forcing a new look at grid battery engineering.
- com
- New reports look at 2019 Arizona battery explosion – pv magazine International | at
- New details have emerged surrounding the Arizona Public Service Electric (APS) battery failure and corresponding explosion that hospitalized eight firefighters and one police officer in Surprise, Arizona, in April 2019. Two recently published reports – one by APS, and the other by the Underwriters Laboratory Firefighter Safety Research Institute – reveal new details regarding the incident · “The suspected fire was actually an extensive cascading thermal runaway event, initiated by an internal cell failure within one battery cell in the BESS: cell pair 7, module 2, rack 15,” DNV GL Energy Insights said in the APS report. The cascading thermal runaway was likely caused by an internal cell defect – namely, abnormal lithium metal deposition and dendritic growth within the cell. While the system’s clean agent fire suppression system began operating to contain the event, …
- pv-magazine.com
- Dispute Erupts Over What Sparked an Explosive Li-ion Energy Storage Accident – IEEE Spectrum | at
- The April 2019 accident near Phoenix put plans on hold to further deploy BESS across Arizona and led to a public airing of conflicting root cause reports issued by the utility and its battery vendor
- ieee.org
- What Sparked the Arizona Battery Fire? LG Chem Has a Different Version | Greentech Media | at
- LG Chem disagrees with Arizona Public Service’s conclusion that a defective battery cell triggered the chain reaction. GTM digs in.
- com
- Arizona ESS Explosion Reports | NFPA | at org
- California SDG&E battery fire was ‘well managed,’ caused minimal impact | at
- A recent fire event at an SDG&E battery storage project was dealt with effectively and in an exemplary manner.
- energy-storage.news
- California battery facility fire raises concerns over energy storage plant regulation : NPR | at
- Following a lithium-ion battery fire at the Moss Landing plant in Monterey County in California, communities nationwide are expressing concerns about hosting similar plants.
- org
- US Has Suffered Second Highest Number of Major Storage Fires | at
- A database detailing utility and commercial & industrial-scale energy storage failures over a 12-year period shows that California and New York are the US states that have experienced the most storage fires.
- com
- Fire at battery storage facility in California triggers evacuation order – Energy-Storage.News | at
- Mandatory evacuation orders were issued in Escondido, California, after a fire broke out at a battery energy storage system (BESS) facility.
- energy-storage.news
- Battery storage is a key piece of California’s clean energy transition. But there’s a problem with fires | at
- A fire at Valley Center Energy Storage Facility in San Diego County is the latest in a series of incidents; advocates insist problems will get ironed out in time.
- com

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