The challenges
  • Extensive land needed and proximity required to existing infrastructure, often leading to considerations in green belts with stricter environmental criteria. Two of our BESS projects in development are in such green belt land
  • Every local council has different views and regulations, and every site has different environmental considerations
  • Thermal runaway from damage, external heat exposure, or electrical misuse
  • Damaged cells release toxic gases that can either ignite immediately or accumulate and explode
  • Lithium fires burn intensely and generate their own oxygen. Large incidents can require significant amounts of water for control and extinguishment.
The solution
  • Besides size, energy storage sites have minimal other conditions, allowing utilization of brownfield or derelict land if the appropriate grid connection is available
  • When green belt sites are chosen, extensive consultation with environmental, ecological, and landscaping consultants, local residents, and councils, ensures preservation of the green belt’s purpose and minimal impact on the local environment
  • A comprehensive battery management and safety plan is in place to identify and minimise risks, with preparedness for a swift and safe response in the rare event of an occurrence
  • Fire safety considerations are integrated into every aspect, from battery supplier selection to site layout, including features such as firebreaks and emergency service access
  • A dedicated electronic battery management system ensures constant monitoring of each unit, promptly detecting abnormalities before they pose any risk