Battery energy storage systems (BESS)
Grid scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are a fundamental part of the UK’s move toward a sustainable energy system. Whilst Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service is not a statutory consultee as part of the Local Authority planning process, the National Fire Chiefs Council encourages applicants and the local planning authority to have early engagement with the local Fire and Rescue Service.
The UK Government has now published health and safety guidance for grid scale electrical energy storage systems. The guidance aims to improve the navigability of existing standards and provide a clearer understanding of relevant health and safety standards that the grid scale electrical energy storage systems (EESS) industry, which includes lithium-ion batteries, can apply to its own process(es).
In support of this Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) work with both the Local Authority Planning departments and the site operators to ensure that safety is prioritised.
In accordance with the ‘Grid Scale Battery Energy Storage System Planning’ guidance published by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) we ensure that the operator identifies hazards and risks specific to the facility and develop, implement, maintain and review risk controls. From this process a robust Emergency Response Plan is developed.
Through the planning application process our Protection and Response teams ensure the following areas are addressed;
- Siting of renewable energy infrastructure so as to eliminate or reduce hazards to emergency responders.
- Safe access for emergency responders in and around the facility, including to energy storage infrastructure and firefighting infrastructure.
- Provision of adequate water supply and firefighting infrastructure to allow safe and effective emergency response.
- Effective emergency planning and management, specific to the site, infrastructure and operations.
- Owner has a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan, showing full understanding of hazards, risks, and consequences.
- Effective identification and management of hazards and risks specific to the siting, infrastructure, layout, and operations at the facility.
- Impact on surrounding communities, buildings, and infrastructure.
- Vegetation sited and managed so as to avoid increased bushfire and grassfire risk.
- Prevention of fire ignition on-site.
- Prevention of fire spread between site infrastructure (solar panel banks, wind turbines, battery containers/enclosures).
- Prevention of external fire impacting and igniting site infrastructure.
- Provision of accurate and current information for emergency responders during emergencies.