This table tracks other energy storage failure incidents for scenarios that do not fit the criteria of the table above. This could include energy storage failures in settings like electric transportation, recycling, manufacturing, etc.
In summary, energy storage batteries face multiple risks leading to their destruction, including improper disposal, deep discharge cycles, physical damage, overheating, incorrect charging practices, and electrolyte leakage.
However, because energy storage technologies are generally newer than most other types of grid infrastructure like substations and transformers, there are questions and claims related to the safety of a common battery energy storage technology, lithium- ion (Li-ion) batteries.
The potential safety issues associated with ESS and lithium-ion bateries may be best understood by examining a case involving a major explosion and fire at an energy storage facility in Arizona in April 2019, in which two first responders were seriously injured.
However, because energy storage technologies are generally newer than most other types of grid infrastructure like substations and transformers, there are questions and claims related to the safety of a common battery energy storage
There are a lot of benefits that energy storage systems (ESS) can provide, but along with those benefits come some hazards that need to be considered. This blog will talk about a handful of hazards that are unique to energy storage systems as well as the failure modes that can lead to those hazards.
Figure 1 depicts the various components that go into building a battery energy storage system (BESS) that can be a stand-alone ESS or can also use harvested energy from renewable energy sources for charging. The electrochemical cell is the fundamental component in creating a BESS.
Once a lithium-ion battery overheats in a BESS and the process of "thermal runaway" occurs, it can be nearly impossible to extinguish, potentially causing catastrophic damage and risking the lives of first responders called to
The availability of root cause information starting in 2018 is an indication of both energy storage industry maturity as well as collective action and scrutiny on lithium ion BESS safety.
In April 2019, an unexpected explosion of batteries on fire in an Arizona energy storage facility injured eight firefighters. More than a year before that fire, FEMA awarded a Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S), Research and Development (R&D) grant to the University of Texas at Austin to address firefighter concerns about safety when responding
Figure 1 depicts the various components that go into building a battery energy storage system (BESS) that can be a stand-alone ESS or can also use harvested energy from renewable energy sources for charging. The
Once a lithium-ion battery overheats in a BESS and the process of "thermal runaway" occurs, it can be nearly impossible to extinguish, potentially causing catastrophic damage and risking the lives of first responders called to put out the fire.
On April 19, 2019, a thermal runaway event followed by an explosion occurred at the McMicken Battery Energy Storage System in Surprise, Arizona. A fire captain, a fire engineer, and two firefighters sustained serious injuries.
Stationary Energy Storage Failure Incidents – this table tracks utility-scale and commercial and industrial (C&I) failures. Other Storage Failure Incidents – this table tracks incidents that do not fit the criteria for the first table. This could include failures involving the manufacturing, transportation, storage, and recycling of energy storage.
In April 2019, an unexpected explosion of batteries on fire in an Arizona energy storage facility injured eight firefighters.
Around the globe energy storage systems are being installed at an unprecedented rate, and for good reasons. There are a lot of benefits that energy storage systems (ESS) can provide, but along with those benefits come some hazards that need to be considered.
Note that the Stationary Energy Storage Failure Incidents table tracks both utility-scale and C&I system failures. It is instructive to compare the number of failure incidents over time against the deployment of BESS. The graph to the right looks at the failure rate per cumulative deployed capacity, up to 12/31/2024.
On April 19, 2019, a thermal runaway event followed by an explosion occurred at the McMicken Battery Energy Storage System in Surprise, Arizona. A fire captain, a fire engineer, and two firefighters sustained serious injuries. The walk-in structure housed a 2.16 MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system.
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 MWh1, while worldwide safety events over the same period increased by a much smaller number, from two to 12.
