Manufacturers and users of battery storage systems have backed an industry-led initiative in the US to “prioritise safety” in the production and operation of equipment.
The move came amidst on going concerns about the risk of fires from lithium batteries and cells— and just days before an explosion at a grid-scale battery storage facility in the US.
The US Energy Storage Association (ESA) said 30 companies had already signed up to the new Energy Storage Industry Corporate Responsibility Initiative— launched at the ESA’s annual conference in Arizona earlier this month.
Signatories include GE Energy Storage, Panasonic, LG Chem Power, EsVolta, Fluence, NEC, Highview Power Storage, Enel Green Power and Duke Energy.
The signatories and the ESA have also launched a task force “to develop best practices for potential operational hazard prevention, end-of-life recycling and responsible supply-chain practices”.
ESA’s CEO Kelly Speakes-Backman (pictured) said: “The US energy storage market nearly doubled in 2018 and is expected to double again in 2019, so this marks an ideal time for the industry to demonstrate their commitment to corporate responsibility.”
