Navigating Perceptions of Fire Safety in Energy Storage: Insights from the Moss Landing Incident

The recent fire at the Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in Monterey County, California, has reignited the discussion surrounding safety in battery energy storage systems (BESS). Aaron Marks, an energy storage consultant at Clean Energy Associates (CEA), delves into the implications of this incident. This article follows a previous contribution in our ongoing series by CEA, which aims to provide exclusive insights into the energy storage sector.

The fire on January 16, 2025, at the Moss Landing facility drew significant attention, not in the way industry stakeholders would have liked. Observers have labeled the event a ‘wake-up call,’ leading to increased scrutiny of other BESS facilities in California. However, the connection between the Moss Landing incident and the overall safety of energy storage systems remains ambiguous.

What Makes the Moss Landing Fire Unique?

Moss Landing is distinguished by its unique design; it was built within the turbine hall of an old power plant, a repurposing approach not seen in other BESS installations. In contrast, most BESS facilities utilize battery racks housed in containers, which are typically more cost-effective and feature integrated safety systems designed to contain faults within a single unit or module. Although a few freestanding buildings exist, they generally adhere to established fire safety codes such as NFPA 855.

Additionally, the burned Phase 1 system at Moss Landing utilized nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries, known for their higher reactivity compared to the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries commonly employed in the majority of BESS installations today. Given the history of safety incidents at Moss Landing, the facility appeared particularly prone to such occurrences. However, rather than indicating a trend for future battery fires, Moss Landing stands out as an exception in an industry that is rapidly implementing safer battery technologies.

An Improving Safety Landscape

Recent data from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) reveals a promising narrative regarding battery safety: stationary energy storage systems have never been safer. From 2019 to 2023, the number of BESS failure incidents remained steady, while the deployment rate increased. Notably, in 2024, BESS installations reached an all-time high, and the incident count dropped to less than half of previous years. Despite the technology’s improved safety record, public perception often focuses on incidents like Moss Landing, overshadowing the overall advancements in safety.

Case Study: New York’s Response to Perception

New York serves as a pertinent case study on public perception of energy storage. During the summer of 2023, four energy storage incidents occurred across three towns, each relatively minor, with fires contained to single containers. Nonetheless, local reactions were swift and severe, leading several Long Island towns to implement moratoria on energy storage by the end of 2024. In response, Governor Kathy Hochul formed an Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group, which proposed balanced fire code changes to enhance safety without significantly hindering storage deployment.

Despite these measures, New York continues to grapple with public perception issues surrounding lithium-ion batteries, posing challenges for developers aiming to meet the state’s ambitious energy storage target of 6GW by 2030. Similar to the situation in California, where Moss Landing’s incident has prompted discussions of moratoria and new permitting regulations, the repercussions of public perception can be profound.

The Influence of Broader Lithium-Ion Applications

Public perception is further complicated by the rise of lithium-ion batteries in other applications, particularly in micromobility. The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters has surged, driven by decreasing battery prices. However, cheaper options often use batteries and chargers that lack proper quality assurances, increasing the risk of failures and fires. While these risks are legitimate, they do not reflect the safety standards upheld by reputable manufacturers of e-bikes or utility-scale storage developers.

The media’s emphasis on isolated incidents, like the Moss Landing fire, contributes to a skewed perception of lithium-ion battery safety. As news coverage often highlights dramatic events, everyday operational safety tends to go unnoticed. This phenomenon mirrors how the public perceives other forms of transportation, such as flying versus driving—where the latter, despite being statistically more dangerous, is normalized due to daily exposure.

Strategies for the Energy Storage Industry

Overcoming fear-based messaging requires actionable steps from storage developers and integrators to communicate their safety records effectively:

• Minimize Future Incident Potential: Adhering to UL9540 and UL1973 certifications should be a baseline requirement for all BESS procured. Highlighting these certifications in communications with stakeholders can enhance trust. Engaging third-party quality assurance (QA) services can also mitigate potential safety and operational issues.

• Engage with Local Communities: Developers must proactively communicate with surrounding communities to address their concerns. Quick and transparent communication following any incident is crucial in building trust. Acknowledging and discussing risks openly is more beneficial than downplaying them.

• Learn from Other Industries: The energy storage sector can glean insights from the nuclear industry, which has maintained a strong safety record despite public fear stemming from a few high-profile incidents. While lithium-ion batteries do not carry the same stigma, they can still be negatively affected by poor public perception.

The Importance of Perception

Energy storage is a nascent industry that lacks the historical normalization seen in fossil fuel sectors, where incidents are often overlooked. Public perception plays a critical role, often overshadowing positive safety statistics. Although incidents like Moss Landing are reported extensively, they remain rare and decreasing in frequency. The industry must prioritize safety while also implementing measures such as certifications and third-party QA to further bolster public confidence.

In conclusion, stakeholders in the energy storage sector bear the responsibility to operate safely and advocate for the industry’s positive track record, demonstrating how energy storage contributes to a reliable and resilient energy grid.

About the Author

Aaron Marks is an energy storage market intelligence consultant at Clean Energy Associates (CEA), a North American advisory firm specializing in solar PV, green hydrogen, and battery storage across the entire value chain. With a decade of experience in the energy sector, Aaron focuses on energy policy, market design, and energy storage.