Energy storage
safety
Innovation builds upon a safety track record spanning decades
Fire incidents at energy storage facilities are extremely rare and remain isolated. In fact, there has been less than 20 incidents at operating energy storage facilities in the U.S. in the last decade. Nonetheless, the industry is continuous in its proactive approach to work with policymakers and fire officials to promote safety and ensure that best-in-class standards are adhered to.
Leading on Safety
The U.S. energy storage industry strives to not only meet but exceed the most rigorous safety codes and standards. Established standards ensure that energy storage facilities incorporate the most advanced safety features. The industry promotes the adoption of these standards in communities across America.
Partnering with America's Firefighters
Strong partnerships with fire departments and fire protection experts are essential for each project. The energy storage industry is committed to partnering with the fire service to promote safe and reliable operation.
Safety & Reliability by Design
From the blueprint of a project site to the specially engineered battery containers, energy storage projects are inherently designed to perform safely and reliably on the grid. Energy storage facilities are designed to always deliver for America's energy system when most needed.
Deploying the Most Advanced, Certified Equipment
Energy storage facilities use the most advanced, certified battery technologies. Batteries undergo strict testing and evaluations and the energy storage system and its components comply with required certifications detailed in the national fire protection safety standard, NFPA 855.
Energy storage myths vs. facts
Energy storage battery fires are decreasing as a percentage of deployments.
- Between 2017 and 2022, U.S. energy storage deployments increased by more than 18 times, from 645 MWh to 12,191 MWh, while worldwide safety events over the same period increased by a much smaller number, from two to 12.
- During this time, codes and standards regulating energy storage systems have rapidly evolved to better address safety concerns.
Cell failure rates are extremely low, and safety features in today’s designs further reduce the probability of fires.
- An estimate from 2012 quotes a failure rate ranging from 1 in 10 million to 1 in 40 million cells, and there are undoubtedly improvements from these levels.
- Lithium-ion batteries experience extremely low failure rates.
- ESS designs incorporate features to avoid propagation of cell failure within the battery, contributing to improved safety.
Past incidents demonstrate that fires are contained within the facility, and air quality in neighboring areas remains at safe levels.
- Laboratory testing of emissions from Li-ion cells in thermal runaway shows that emissions are similar to those found in plastics fires.
- During an ESS battery fire, only trace amounts of chemicals are detected in sampling around the event, and overall air quality remains at safe levels.
- Example: During a fire at a Tesla Megapack at Moss Landing in California, air-quality testing showed no hazards to human health.
Regulations that aren’t vetted by organizations like the National Fire Protection Association or are inconsistent with the International Fire Code may make projects less safe.
- Established national and international codes and standards already require BESS to incorporate the appropriate safety features to contain any potential fires or thermal events.
- The accepted best practice for the rare ESS fires that do occur is to contain them, managing the burn of the limited affected unit in a controlled manner while protecting nearby structures and equipment. This strategy eliminates any explosion hazard.
- Codes and standards, such as NFPA 855, are changing to reflect this practice, placing an emphasis on explosion prevention.
- One proposal for the 2026 edition of NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, would forbid installation of traditional clean-agent or aerosol fire suppression systems unless testing demonstrates that use of such systems does not create an explosion risk.
- Learn more about our Partnerships and how your locality can adopt NFPA 855.
Adhering to best practices and regulatory standards
Our industry continues to work tirelessly to ensure battery storage technologies are developed with safety precautions as inherent and critical features. However, we also closely coordinate with all levels of government and regulatory bodies to ensure we are planning and siting these projects in a way that best accounts for unique safety needs of each community.
Stringent Testing & Certification
As critical infrastructure that provides key services to America's power grid, energy storage technologies undergo stringent testing and obtain certifications before connecting to the grid. This includes ensuring all batteries in energy storage systems are tested and verified to perform safely and reliably under all conditions.
Safety by Design
Every energy storage project integrated into our electrical grid strives to meet and exceed national fire protection standards that are frequently updated to incorporate best practices, safety features, and strategies. These established safety standards, like NFPA 855 and UL 9540, ensure that all aspects of an energy storage project are designed, built, and operated with safety as the highest priority.
Constant Monitoring & Instant Response
Energy storage facilities are monitored 24/7 by trained personnel prepared to maintain safety and respond to emergency events. Facilities use multiple strategies to maintain safety, including using established safety equipment and techniques to ensure that operation of the battery systems are conducted safely.
Promoting Safety Standards in Every Community
Energy storage technologies are a critical resource for America’s power grid, boosting reliability and lowering costs for families and businesses. Energy storage projects are designed and built with safety as the top priority.
The energy storage industry is committed to leading on safety by promoting the use of standardized best practices in every community across America. On behalf of the U.S. energy storage industry, the American Clean Power Association is partnering with firefighters to encourage the adoption of NFPA 855, the National Fire Protection safety standard for energy storage.
Safety By Design
Building on a strong culture of safety, energy storage has grown exponentially while doing so in a manner which ensures resiliency, reliability, and economic growth. How is this possible? The energy industry advocates for, and follows, rigorous safety standards and codes. Watch to learn more on how the industry approaches manufacturing, development, and operation with safety by design.
Advancing safety standards across all fifty states
The energy storage industry is continually promoting safety, encouraging localities across the country to adopt robust safety standards, collaborating with first-responder groups and fire service organizations, and sharing lessons learned and safety resources.
