Contributed Commentary by Brian Cashion, Firetrace International
March 20, 2025 | The transition to renewable energy relies heavily on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). These systems play a crucial role in stabilizing the grid and ensuring a steady supply of energy to deal with the intermittent nature of renewables, particularly solar and wind. However, despite the growing importance of BESS, a disconnect between developers, regulators, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) is creating roadblocks for the industry. As new technologies rapidly emerge, regulators are struggling to keep up, leaving AHJs without the necessary guidance to make informed decisions. This lack of alignment has led to project delays, public opposition, and a general climate of uncertainty.
The BESS industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. BESS deployments increased from 27GWh in 2022 to a remarkable 74GWh in 2023, with 400GWh capacity expected by the end of the decade. To ensure this trend continues, developers need to be more transparent about safety improvements, regulators must provide clear and up-to-date standards, and manufacturers should share critical safety data. Without these measures, the energy transition risks being slowed down at a time when accelerating it is more crucial than ever.
A Lack of Transparency is Fueling Mistrust
One of the main contributors to the growing divide is the lack of transparency from BESS developers regarding the safety of their projects. Many authorities remain sceptical about BESS sites due to past fire incidents and system failures. However, despite significant strides in improving the safety of these systems, authorities and fire services often do not receive enough detailed information about the risks and mitigation strategies associated with modern BESS technology. This lack of communication leads to cautious—and sometimes obstructive—decision-making.
If developers were more forthcoming with technical details and safety improvements, AHJs could make decisions based on data rather than fear. By providing clear, detailed risk assessments and outlining fire prevention strategies, developers can help build confidence among regulators and the public.
The Growing Burden on Local Authorities
The lack of clear, up-to-date regulations also places an increasing burden on AHJs and local fire services. With BESS projects rapidly expanding across the globe, local authorities are expected to assess risks without a unified framework to rely on—despite the over 50 recorded BESS fire incidents worldwide between 2011 and 2021. This has resulted in inconsistent decision-making, with some jurisdictions taking a proactive approach while others err on the side of caution, delaying or denying projects altogether.
The U.S. is a prime example of this regulatory patchwork. BESS regulations vary not only from state to state but also from county to county. As a result, a developer navigating the permitting process in Arizona may face entirely different requirements than one working on a similar project in New York—or even within the same state. This inconsistency makes it difficult for companies to scale their projects efficiently and creates confusion among AHJs who may lack the technical expertise to evaluate each new technology independently.
Local fire departments face a similar challenge. Without standardized safety guidelines, they must assess each BESS project on a case-by-case basis—often without the necessary training or resources. In worst-case scenarios, this can lead to improper risk assessments and ineffective emergency response planning. Regulators need to step in to provide clear, universally applicable standards that simplify decision-making for local authorities and emergency responders. The dangers of BESS fires—such as toxic smoke—vary on weather and the terrain conditions of each site, making it even more important that local fire departments are provided with universal standards that provide direction for varying scenarios that may be encountered.
The Importance of Industry-Wide Collaboration
To bridge the divide, regulatory bodies must work to standardize BESS safety guidelines that span across geographic borders. The slow-moving nature of regulatory development means that by the time new codes and standards are established, technology has often already evolved beyond their scope. A more agile approach to regulation—one that allows for ongoing updates and incorporates insights from industry experts—is essential.
Transparency should not be limited to developers. BESS manufacturers must also play a role in improving industry-wide safety by sharing critical data, particularly Root Cause Analysis (RCA) reports following fire or thermal incidents. Today, when a BESS fire occurs, the details surrounding the incident often remain within a small circle of experts. By making RCA data more widely available, manufacturers can help the entire industry learn from past mistakes and implement more effective safety measures. This level of openness will also reassure regulators and AHJs that risk is being taken seriously and addressed proactively.
BESS technology is advancing at an incredible pace, bringing us closer to a cleaner, more reliable energy grid. However, for the industry to continue growing, it must address the widening divide between developers, regulators, and authorities. By fostering transparency, implementing standardized regulations, and sharing critical safety data, the industry can overcome these challenges and pave the way for a safer future for energy storage.
Brian Cashion is the Director of Engineering at Firetrace International, overseeing all aspects of engineering and product design. He has a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University. He can be reached at bcashion@firetrace.com.
