The Blueprint for Safe Battery Storage: A Guide for Responsible Neighborhoods and Businesses

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are a growing and vital part of the American electrical grid. A battery energy storage system captures excess energy supplied by solar, wind, or traditional energy sources, and then supplies that energy to the electric grid when demand is high.

As more energy storage units are installed throughout the country, the grid’s ability to meet demand grows. Grid operators can deliver electricity more reliably, affordably, and safely to energy consumers. This means more reliable energy for everyone: Fewer outages and faster recovery if the power does go out. Plus, battery energy storage systems are a great complement to renewable energy generation like solar and wind, because they fill in energy supply gaps when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing, making renewable energy more available.

However, with any new technology comes new questions. Many communities, landowners, and businesses near battery installation projects are wondering: Are battery energy storage systems safe? Concerns about fire risk, potential toxicity, and community impact deserve adequate answers from energy storage developers before a system’s future neighbor can understand the benefits of energy storage.

The good news is that battery technology has advanced rapidly over the past decade to meet rigorous safety standards. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we receive at Pivot Energy about BESS safety, so you can feel confident installing battery energy storage systems in your community.

Are lithium batteries safe?

The lithium batteries deployed today are safer than ever before. Pivot’s Lithium-Iron Phosphate, or LFP, batteries are optimized for safety, durability, and longevity — even more so than the batteries in laptops, cellphones, and power tools.

LFP batteries use lithium to carry charge like all other lithium-ion batteries, but the battery’s cathode is made up of iron phosphate. Compared to other lithium-ion chemistries like nickel, manganese, and cobalt (Li-NMC) and cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries, LFP batteries are more cost-effective and durable. When it comes to safety, LFP batteries can withstand higher temperatures, which translates into a lower fire risk. Because of this, LFP batteries are widely used in today’s energy storage systems.

Unlike a fossil-fuel generator or power plant, battery energy storage is carbon emissions-free. This means that there is no associated air pollution during regular operations, nor health risks to neighboring communities.

I’ve heard about other lithium battery incidents​. Should I be concerned about fire risk?

The majority of energy storage facilities that experienced safety incidents used earlier technology or failed to comply with current safety regulations. While the number of incidents year to year has roughly remained constant, the number of installed units has increased significantly, meaning the rate of system failure has decreased. This is largely due to safety improvements and technological strides made in the battery industry in recent years.

All new BESS installations from Pivot Energy adhere to the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 855 requirements, a network of rigorous safety codes and standards that guide the safe design, installation, and operation of energy storage systems. Since NFPA 855 was introduced in 2020, there have been zero battery energy storage fires in the U.S. that caused injuries or damage outside the facility.

While the industry has learned from a few high-profile early incidents, today’s battery storage systems are safer, better designed, and closely regulated.

Are lithium batteries toxic?

Energy storage systems are designed to prioritize the impact on land health during regular operations and limit the potential disturbances in the unlikely event of a fire emergency.

Batteries do not cause air, soil, or water contamination during normal operations. The liquid electrolyte used in the system to facilitate electron flow is completely contained to prevent leaks or spills.

Even in the very rare event of a fire, LFP batteries have less toxic emissions than other Li-ion chemistries, making them a better fit for BESS installations. The potential for soil contamination in such a case would likely be due to fire fighting materials, not the batteries themselves.

How will a BESS installation affect my community?

Will energy storage affect agricultural land?

Deploying renewable energy projects in agricultural and rural communities has proven to be effective in supplementing agricultural income for landowners, often allowing them to continue farm operations on their own land. Energy storage systems are a great choice for rural landowners with underproductive or fallow land, as they do not affect the land’s health and can be fully removed once the system's life has come to an end.

Battery energy storage systems take up very little land, with most Pivot projects requiring between ¼ and 2 acres, depending on the size of the system. Each project is assessed individually, ensuring the system size is appropriate for the location where it is installed.

Pivot is a leading agrivoltaic energy developer in the U.S., and we apply the same land stewardship principles to our energy storage projects as we do with our solar energy projects. Our team works with professional consultants to thoroughly study the local habitat and ensure local ecosystems and land health are protected. When possible, we set up restorative projects, such as sheep grazing or native pollinator-friendly planting on site, to make the most positive impact on the project land.

Will a battery cause disruptions to my community?

The battery system’s inverters, transformers, and HVAC systems collectively produce a small amount of noise pollution, totaling to the equivalent volume of a typical conversation. There is minimal light pollution from energy storage systems as well, with only the amount of lighting required for safety on site. Finally, there is no evidence that battery energy storage systems lower nearby property values; instead, they can reduce regional electricity rates for nearby households and businesses by expanding energy availability.

How can I ensure that my BESS is installed responsibly?

By researching the risks and benefits of battery energy storage systems, you’re already doing your part to make the appropriate choice for your community, land, or business. Ultimately, a person’s role in responsible BESS installation comes down to choosing the right partner.

What kind of batteries does Pivot use in its energy storage systems?

Pivot Energy installs systems with lithium-ion batteries. Our BESS uses a specific lithium-ion chemistry called Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) for its excellent safety, longevity, and energy storage characteristics.

Pivot develops, owns, and operates Solar + Storage systems, as well as stand-alone energy storage systems. Both instances use LFP batteries and include housing, inverters, the power control system, and safety mechanisms, and feed directly into the electrical grid.

What measures does Pivot Energy take to ensure battery storage safety?

Safety is a core priority embedded in every aspect of our solar and energy storage projects. Pivot Energy takes the following steps to ensure each energy storage installation is installed with safety first:

• Pivot has a comprehensive safety plan that outlines risk mitigation protocols for internal employees and external stakeholders at the project level, corporate level, and each step in between.

• Batteries are kept in containers with HVAC systems to avoid overheating and sensors with fail-safes that shut down if the system’s temperature does rise beyond a specific threshold.

• In the rare event of a fire, the system contains the fire to prevent thermal runaway.

• We work closely with industry experts and support the continual education of our employees to ensure the battery systems are being operated safely.

Additionally, the LFP battery chemistry that Pivot Energy installs does not release oxygen in the event of overheating, like batteries of the past. In fact, its chemistry impedes oxygen release, making combustion unlikely. This chemical composition, in tandem with the safety mechanisms integrated into the battery system’s design, keeps Pivot Energy storage systems as safe as possible.

We also recognize that well-trained and equipped personnel reduce the risk of hazards. Pivot’s storage systems are thoroughly tested, regulated, and safe in accordance with federal EPA standards, state, and local AHJ standards, including UL, NFPA, and NEC, among others. Pivot’s comprehensive safety program that covers (1) People Safety, (2) Projects and Operations, and (3) Cyber Safety and Cybersecurity for all of our employees. Our contracts with partners in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) and operations and maintenance (O&M) are embedded with safety standards, including site-specific safety plans that identify and mitigate hazards specific to each project’s unique risk profile. Together, these components ensure a secure environment for our employees, projects, digital infrastructure, and the project’s surroundings.

Who will be responsible for monitoring the BESS project?

For businesses, communities, and landowners ready to install battery energy storage systems, there is no need to purchase or install energy storage monitoring systems or hire outside monitoring services. Each BESS that Pivot installs is equipped with sensors that track electricity flow, performance, and internal conditions. Pivot has an Operations & Maintenance team that oversees a 24/7 remote monitoring system that generates an alert when a unit experiences an issue.

What happens in the case of a BESS fire incident​?

Pivot Energy is committed to mitigating risk from every angle, so we establish emergency plans from the start. Our team works with local authorities, fire departments, and emergency services to implement applicable safety plans and response protocols. Each battery system is equipped with embedded emergency warning systems. They will notify the fire department immediately in case of a thermal event, and Pivot will promptly replace damaged equipment to restore operations.

What happens at the end of a battery energy storage system’s life?

Pivot Energy prioritizes proper land stewardship and public health in all of our projects. The battery energy storage systems that Pivot Energy deploys are designed to reduce the risk of harm meaningfully.

Part of Pivot’s mission is to provide a net-positive impact through our renewable energy projects, which includes the decommissioning process. The battery energy storage systems that Pivot Energy installs operate for about 20 years. When they reach the end of their lifetime, Pivot undertakes a thorough decommissioning protocol that prioritizes proper land stewardship.

We facilitate decommissioning costs and ensure that batteries are properly disposed of. Where possible, we prioritize recycling or donating BESS components to maximize reuse of the system’s many working parts. Our teams work to ensure the site is returned to its initial state in partnership with the landowners, local officials, and the local community.

Moving beyond battery misinformation

As an independent power producer for more than 15 years, Pivot Energy is well-versed in installing renewable energy systems that prioritize safety, land stewardship, and community health.

Pivot Energy is committed to developing, constructing, and operating all solar and storage facilities as safely as possible. By meeting all safety standards and requirements, prioritizing responsible land stewardship, and working closely with local emergency services and officials, we work hard to make sure our renewable energy projects contribute positively to thriving communities.

If you would like to be a part of making your region’s energy more reliable and affordable by installing battery energy storage systems on your property or your community’s, don’t let misinformation about safety deter you. You can read more about the benefits of energy storage and explore Pivot’s energy storage solutions at www.pivotenergy.net/energy-storage. Or reach out to us today to discuss energy storage safety in your community.