Parliament Publishes Report on Potential Fire Hazards in BESS Batteries

Parliament Publishes Report on Potential Fire Hazards in BESS Batteries

In the realm of renewable energy, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) play a significant role in ensuring a stable power grid. However, concerns about the fire safety of these large-scale installations have been raised, particularly with regards to the use of lithium-ion batteries.

The UK's fire safety regulation for BESS is not governed by a single dedicated law but rather a framework of existing legislation. This includes product safety regulations for individual batteries, especially when second-life batteries are used, and general fire safety and health and safety requirements for grid-scale installations. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) maintains a webpage outlining relevant legislation for grid-scale BESS, and in April 2024, the government published new health and safety guidance specifically for grid-scale electrical energy storage.

Despite this framework, there is no explicit legal regime solely targeting BESS fire safety, and there is no nationwide building regulation guidance that clearly applies to grid-scale BESS fire safety. The main fire risk arises from a phenomenon called thermal runaway, where damage or faults inside a battery cell cause rapid heating and potentially fire.

Industry and safety experts have expressed that existing regulations and guidance may not be fully adequate to address the specific safety risks of BESSs. There is a growing push for fire and rescue services to become statutory consultees in the planning process for BESS installations, but this is not yet a legal requirement. Currently, guidance issued in August 2023 encourages developers and local planning authorities in England to consult their local fire and rescue services.

The government insists that BESS installations are covered by a “robust regulatory framework” and is undertaking ongoing reviews of battery regulations to consider safety risks comprehensively. However, there is a lack of comprehensive incident data, with only one documented site fire reported in Liverpool in September 2020.

In an effort to address these concerns, the government has encouraged consultation with fire and rescue services in the planning process for BESS installations. BESS sites can be designed with safety features, such as fire suppression systems.

It is essential to note that the guidance does not specify any penalties for non-compliance with the consultation requirement. Furthermore, it does not specify if the consultation requirement applies to small-scale or large-scale BESS projects, or if similar consultation requirements will be implemented in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

In conclusion, the UK's fire safety regulation for large-scale BESS relies on a combination of existing product safety, fire safety, and health and safety laws supplemented by government guidance. Key issues include the risks from thermal runaway, the need for stronger firefighting consultation in planning, and the absence of specific, dedicated BESS fire safety legislation or clear building regulations applying to these facilities. Ongoing reviews of battery regulations by the government aim to address these concerns comprehensively.

[1] Government Guidance on BESS Fire Safety. (2023). [Link] [2] HSE Guidance on BESS Safety. (2023). [Link] [3] Industry Report on BESS Safety Concerns. (2023). [Link] [4] BESS Incident Data. (2023). [Link] [5] BESS Safety Regulation Overview. (2023). [Link]

1. The existing regulations and guidance for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) fire safety in the UK are primarily a framework of product safety regulations and general fire safety and health and safety requirements, with no explicit legal regime solely targeting BESS fire safety.
2. Industry and safety experts have expressed that the existing regulations may not be fully adequate to address the specific safety risks associated with specialty insurance coverage for BESS installations.
3. There is a growing push for fire and rescue services to become statutory consultants in the planning process for BESS installations, but this has not yet become a legal requirement across the industry.
4. The government encourages consultation with fire and rescue services in the planning process for BESS installations, and sites can be designed with safety features like fire suppression systems to mitigate the main fire risk from thermal runaway.
5. Current regulations do not specify any penalties for non-compliance with the consultation requirement or if the requirement applies to small-scale or large-scale BESS projects, or if similar consultation requirements will be implemented in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

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