Renewables
Addressing public safety concerns over grid-scale battery storage
Energy experts and officials discuss strategies to address community safety concerns surrounding the rapid expansion of grid-scale lithium-ion battery storage.
Key points
- California hosts a significant 21 gigawatts of grid battery capacity.
- Data shows a global decrease in lithium-ion battery failures from 2018 to 2025.
- Community engagement and strict safety standards are vital for securing project approvals.
What happened
As the deployment of grid-scale lithium-ion batteries accelerates to meet clean energy targets, local opposition has grown due to high-profile fire incidents, according to reporting by Canary Media. Installations at Moss Landing and La Verne experienced fires that prompted local evacuations, amplifying safety concerns on social media.
Despite these incidents, industry experts and regulatory officials emphasize that modern utility-scale storage facilities adhere to much higher safety standards than older iterations. California Energy Commissioner Noemí Gallardo highlighted data from the Electric Power Research Institute indicating a 98% reduction in global lithium-ion grid battery failures between 2018 and 2025.
Why it matters
Public pushback presents a major hurdle for states and regions expanding intermittent renewable energy sources, which require adequate storage capacity to maintain grid stability. In California, capacity must more than double by 2045 to achieve climate objectives.
However, developers and policymakers are finding that proactive community engagement, rigorous safety commitments, and first-responder training can turn local opposition into approval. For instance, the city council in Chino recently approved a 400-megawatt battery project after the developer instituted comprehensive safety measures and local fire officials confirmed adequate preparation.
What comes next
Industry stakeholders note that building trust requires greater transparency, involving state agencies in the permitting process, and addressing broader environmental justice concerns. Ensuring that host communities understand both the technical safety measures and the local clean energy benefits will remain critical for future deployment success.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
27.8% of electricity in the world was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
