What's new in energy storage safety?

Since the publication of the first Energy Storage Safety Strategic Plan in 2014, there have been introductions of new technologies, new use cases, and new codes, standards, regulations, and testing methods. Additionally, failures in deployed energy storage systems (ESS) have led to new emergency response best practices.

How will grid scale electricity storage improve health and safety standards?

The deployment of grid scale electricity storage is expected to increase. This guidance aims to improve the navigability of existing health and safety standards and provide a clearer understanding of relevant standards that the industry for grid scale electrical energy storage systems can apply to its own process (es).

Who commissioned the energy storage health and safety guidance?

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero commissioned this guidance on behalf of the industry-led Electricity Storage Health and Safety Governance Group. Frazer-Nash Consultancy was selected to undertake the project. Is this page useful?

How should energy storage risk management be conducted?

Risk management should be conducted through three main approaches : Annex B in this guidance provides further detail on the relevant hazards associated with various energy storage technologies which could lead to a H&S risk, potential risk analysis frameworks and considerations for site/project risk assessments.

What is a 'grid scale' battery storage guidance document?

FrazerNash are the primary authors of this report, with DESNZ and the industry led storage health and safety governance group (SHS governance group) providing key insights into the necessary content. This guidance document is primarily tailored to ‘grid scale’ battery storage systems and focusses on topics related to health and safety.

Can energy storage systems be scaled up?

The energy storage system can be scaled up by adding more flywheels. Flywheels are not generally attractive for large-scale grid support services that require many kWh or MWh of energy storage because of the cost, safety, and space requirements. The most prominent safety issue in flywheels is failure of the rotor while it is rotating.