On behalf of Orange Environment, I wanted to share three reasons to support battery storage projects when ample safeguards are instituted.
First, we need battery storage facilities to have a reliable, cost-effective electrical supply. Our current long-distance electrical grid is increasingly unreliable and threatened by climate-intensified storms, leaving our communities vulnerable to localized blackouts. Battery storage allows us to reimagine the grid in making necessary improvements.
Dedicated community and municipal battery storage coupled with local solar energy makes a sustainable and climate-positive renewable electrical system possible. Excess local renewable electricity is stored and deployed with minimal transmission. By compensating for the inconsistency of solar and wind energy, electricity supply achieves stable 24/7-reliability. It offers backup power to the grid inexpensively and with minimal environmental impact. An increasing number of homes and businesses employ building-based battery backup for the same reasons. Some electric vehicles add additional battery backup for homes during blackouts or emergencies.
Second, the risks due to battery storage are not unique. Everyday technologies bear potentially significant but routinely underestimated risk. Our homes, businesses and modes of transportation already employ battery storage. Use of lithium batteries has proliferated everywhere---our phones, home appliances, e-bikes, lawn equipment and vehicles. Even conventional batteries are potentially hazardous. Add to the list gas lines, gas stoves and furnaces, gasoline stored in garages, lawn equipment, fuel storage tanks, vehicles, fuel tankers, gas stations, gas pipelines and power plants---all polluting, flammable and explosive. Catastrophic fires have been caused by above-ground electric lines, building wiring and appliances. In this context, battery storage does not significantly add to community risk.
Third, while several fire events in Warwick correctly cause concern, battery storage has been widely and safely deployed. Improvements in batteries and the design of storage facilities and in fire prevention, training and equipment are underway. There is a rapid learning curve. The lessons from Warwick involve correcting the deficiencies that led to the fires, not banning the technology all together.
We must take the utmost precaution in permitting battery storage projects to assure fire prevention and mitigation even as they become integral to our electrical supply.
Orange Environment is a 44-year-old non-profit seeking to protect environmental integrity and promote sustainability. Find us on Facebook and at www.orangeenvironment.com.
Michael R. Edelstein, Ph.D.
President Emeritus, Orange Environment, Inc.