Chinese regulators are reportedly considering a comprehensive fire safety inspection and upgrades to operational energy storage facilities. For older storage stations, improving fire safety measures will significantly increase non-technical costs, potentially up to CNY 0.2 per Wh ($0.028/Wh).
By ESS news
According to a recent report from the 21st Century Business Herald, Chinese regulators are considering a comprehensive fire safety inspection and upgrades to existing battery energy storage facilities nationwide. This initiative comes in response to a series of recent global security incidents involving energy storage stations.
In the first half of 2024 alone, at least six fire incidents involving battery energy storage facilities have occurred worldwide, causing casualties and property damage. On May 15, a fire burned at the Gateway Energy Storage Station in Otay Mesa, San Diego, California, for 11 days until all combustible materials were exhausted. Further incidents were reported in Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
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In China, a fire in early April at a battery energy storage project in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, caused near-total destruction of the construction site. Following this incident, the local government ordered fire safety inspections and rectifications for all battery energy storage facilities, both under construction and operational, within the city’s jurisdiction.
The potential action at the national level appears to be an expanded version of the measures taken by the Wenzhou government. According to the 21st Century Business Herald, Chinese regulators have already consulted with manufacturers, builders and operators of energy storage facilities to gather their opinions and suggestions. It is expected that a nationwide initiative for fire safety hazard inspection and upgrade will be implemented soon.
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