Even in parts of the US with high concentrations of BESS projects, there is considerable community concern about health and safety risks – the storage sector needs to do more to eliminate fears and win greater public support.
In parts of the US with high concentrations of battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, the energy storage industry needs to do more to address community concern about health and safety risks and preparedness for fire events. Research conducted by Firetrace International showed that in Kern County, California – which has among the highest concentrations of BESS projects in the US – around a third of residents say concern about health and safety risks is a major barrier to the public acceptance of BESS projects.
The energy storage industry has, generally speaking, found Kern County to be one of the most supportive areas of the US when it comes to project development. The county is home to what was described as the world’s largest BESS when it came online last year, the 3,287MWh asset located at the Edwards & Sanborn solar-plus-storage project. This marks a pivotal step forward for the industry, yet a recent survey indicates that more must be done to address local concerns in Kern County about BESS projects, fostering community trust and sustaining the industry’s momentum.
‘Insufficient fire service preparedness’
A study by Firetrace International found that, among Kern County residents, concerns about health and safety risks were the biggest barrier to public acceptance of BESS projects. Health and safety fears were cited as the biggest barrier by almost a third (32%) of Kern County locals, while 12% said the biggest barrier was “insufficient local government and fire service preparedness”. Only 14% thought there was no barrier to public acceptance of BESS projects.
The survey also revealed that ensuring BESS projects had “advanced fire suppression systems and emergency response plans” would mean Kern County residents would be much more likely to support the siting of such projects in their area. The research showed that almost two-thirds (62%) of locals would be more likely to support a BESS project in their community if it had high quality fire suppression systems and emergency response plans in place.
Concern about toxic leaks
Around one in five residents (18%) said their primary concern about BESS projects was “potential toxic leaks or hazardous materials”, while 6% said their main worry was fire and explosion risks. Less than one-third of Kern County locals said they had no major concerns about BESS projects. Only 40% of Kern County residents said they were supportive of BESS projects in their area.
It is clear that, with only a minority of people in Kern County supporting BESS projects, doing more to address health, safety and fire risk concerns would be an effective way of reducing local opposition.
Energy storage fire safety must be prioritized
With the lives of first responders, millions of dollars of energy storage investment, community support for BESS projects and the storage industry’s reputation at stake, developers and owners must make energy storage fire safety a priority. In addition to the potential danger to life, battery storage fire incidents can cost developers, owners or operators up to $2 million as a result of the catastrophic loss of an asset and loss of revenue from up to 18 months’ worth of downtime. Furthermore, each fire can weaken community confidence, making it harder for residents to see BESS sites as beneficial rather than potential safety risks.
Continuous analysis and review are essential to ensure compliance with the latest requirements and regulations regarding energy storage safety in order to maintain optimal safety standards. Organizations must stay vigilant and adapt to changes to effectively manage risks associated with energy storage systems.
It is also important to consider the inclusion of a battery management system, which monitors, controls, and optimizes performance of individual or multiple battery modules, and can also control the disconnection of the modules from the system in the event of abnormal conditions.
Consideration should also be given to the fact that only 11% of fires and explosions are linked to battery module failures, according to EPRI [Electric Power Research Institute], with 43% stemming from failures in electrical equipment such as PCS [power conversion systems], and 46% attributable to control equipment malfunctions.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joe DeBellis serves as the Global Head of Clean Energy at Firetrace International, bringing more than a decade of experience in the renewable energy sector. With a deep understanding of both clean energy innovation and fire safety, Joe is recognized as a trusted industry voice on the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of the sector.
A frequent speaker and thought leader, Joe has presented at major industry events, including ACP’s Clean Power, where he has shared insights on advancing safety and reliability within renewable energy assets. His expertise has also been featured across multiple publications and media platforms, most recently on the Clean Power Hour podcast and in leading clean energy news outlets.
Known for his ability to connect technical expertise with practical solutions, Joe continues to serve as a reliable resource for organizations navigating the evolving renewable energy landscape, with a particular focus on ensuring safe and sustainable growth.