EPA releases new BESS Battery Storage Safety Guidelines amid rising fire concerns
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In response to a growing number of high-profile fires at battery energy storage facilities across the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new safety guidelines aimed at helping communities, developers, and emergency responders manage the risks associated with lithium-ion battery systems.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have become a cornerstone of the clean energy transition, stabilizing power grids and storing electricity from renewable sources. But as installations surge nationwide, so do concerns about fire hazards, toxic emissions, and emergency response challenges.
The EPA’s newly released fact sheet outlines best practices for safe installation, fire suppression planning, and post-incident cleanup. It draws on recent incidents—including the seven-day flare-up at the Gateway Energy Storage Facility in San Diego and the evacuation of 1,200 residents after a fire at Moss Landing in Monterey County—to highlight the urgent need for improved safety protocols.
Key Recommendations Include
- Consulting BESS safety experts during project planning
- Coordinating with local fire departments for incident preparedness
- Implementing environmental monitoring and disposal procedures for damaged batteries
- Using updated design standards to reduce failure rates
The guidelines also emphasize the difficulty of extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires, which can reignite hours or even days after initial suppression. Harmful gases released during these events pose health risks to both responders and nearby residents.
Despite the risks, the EPA notes that improvements in battery design have led to a decline in failure incidents per gigawatt-hour deployed. Still, the agency urges communities to remain vigilant and proactive.
For full details, you can view the EPA’s official Battery Energy Storage Systems Fact Sheet.
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