Those fires, which happened between May and July 2023, have been discovered within the group’s preliminary findings to have now not brought about destructive toxins to be launched, nor have any accidents been reported.
They have however critically dented the general public belief of battery garage safety, now not helped by way of a far greater collection of incidents that experience came about due to faulty or incorrectly used lithium-ion batteries in micromobility units equivalent to scooters and e-bikes.
The state of affairs round micromobility units – which do not need the similar safeguards and a couple of layers of coverage that BESS gadgets will have to be supplied with – has even led to outstanding fireplace professionals describing it as a “crisis” in New York, in particular within the densely packed city spaces of New York City.
“The battery energy storage industry is enabling communities across New York to transition to a clean energy future, and it is critical that we have the comprehensive safety standards in place,” Governor Hochul mentioned because the Inter-Agency Working Group’s suggestions have been introduced the day gone by.
The group incorporates company personnel from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Public Service and the Department of State.
Those businesses had been joined within the group by way of fireplace safety and battery material professionals from the power garage {industry}. The group tested fresh fireplace and machine failure occasions and inspected each and every BESS set up within the state, sooner than generating its suggestions.
A complete of 15 had been proposed and a public session length on them has spread out till 3 pm EST on 5 March. Input and feedback must be directed in opposition to NYSERDA which is dealing with that procedure.
15 suggestions for the Fire Code of New York
The group and material professionals that collaborated with it studied the Fire Code of New York State (FCNYS) to determine “gaps in codes and best practices,” the governor’s administrative center mentioned the day gone by. It’s suggestions due to this fact are geared toward being codified as a part of the FCNY.
New York had already been forward of the curve amongst US states in its method to safety, having followed the rules of the draft 2021 International Fire Code which was once the primary to come with detailed rules across the remedy of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.
It additionally already has very stringent rules prohibiting battery installations inside of structures in NYC. The new really useful changes to the code will likely be appropriate to techniques of 600kWh capability and above.
The suggestions can also be present in complete by way of the NYSERDA website, however widely talking fall into 3 classes of suggestions to replace the FCNY, suggestions for additions to the code and a few further concerns.
They come with a proposed requirement that {industry} stakeholders in tasks pay for peer opinions of all tasks by way of material professionals. This is aimed in large part at serving to government having jurisdiction (AHJs) to assessment BESS tasks in construction with no need to additionally turn into professionals within the box themselves.
There also are proposals that BESS cupboards be fitted with explosion regulate apparatus as obligatory, the place prior to now this was once best required for ‘enterable’ BESS gadgets in rooms or walk-in spaces.
Other suggestions come with obligatory signage and closed-circuit tv (CCTV) safety, 24/7 tracking and get right of entry to to battery control machine (BMS) knowledge, the striking rather than emergency reaction plans and periodic inspections of BESS gadgets to be required.
Presently, battery garage gadgets in New York which are owned by way of utilities are exempted from the Fire Code. The Working Group really useful a elimination of this exemption.
An industry-led initiative from the American Clean Power Association (ACP) not too long ago printed a battery safety incident information for first responders, whilst in California, the state handed law remaining 12 months that calls for BESS homeowners to installed position safety and communications protocols with first responders and different key stakeholders.
Energy-Storage.news’ writer Solar Media will host the 6th Energy Storage Summit USA, 19-20 March 2024 in Austin, Texas. Featuring a packed programme of panels, displays and hearth chats from {industry} leaders specializing in accelerating the marketplace for power garage around the nation. For more information, go to the website.