The Daily Hampshire Gazette has published several editorials about battery energy storage systems (BESS). I would like to provide additional information on the June 23 guest column by Michael DeChiara [“Somerville gets it wrong on battery storage”]. There has been great progress in improving the safety of BESS installations. Newer Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries are chemically stable, have low fire risk, contain less toxic materials, and last 2-3 times longer than traditional Lithium Ion batteries. Fires are rare, and if they occur, they are more easily suppressed with cooling agents or dry chemical sprays that fire departments use.
The battery chemistries have improved due to experience and testing, which has also raised standards and refined safety monitoring systems. Recent applications for BESS projects in Massachusetts are using this new LFP technology for utility-scale battery storage. DeChiara commented that he has “never seen a hint of ‘dark money’ or fake community groups trying to subvert the need for renewable energy.” Brown University’s Climate and Development Lab did an extensive study, “Beyond Dark Money,” which details the efforts of fossil fuel companies to subvert renewable energy, particularly toward offshore wind. Local communities have every right to identify concerns about safety. At the same time, communities should ask for newer, safer BESS technology, and not dismiss these projects out of hand.
In short, BESS is ready for prime time, and it is essential for enabling renewable energy to scale to meet our energy needs and maintain the stability of our power grid.
Jeff Clark
Amherst