Energy storage plan delayed due to fire concerns

Battery energy storage systems are seen as a key component of the move towards renewable energy

A decision on plans for a battery energy storage system (BESS) has been postponed after fire safety concerns were raised.

The BESS would be built on a field south of Barfields Lane near Reepham, about three miles (4.8km) from Lincoln, next to an oil production facility.

Worries about fire safety were raised during the planning committee meeting at West Lindsey District Council on Wednesday with one councillor saying it could lead to a "major disaster".

Applicant Fiskerton BESS said the site would have a robust fire safety management plan.

The system is designed to store electricity while it is plentiful and release it to the grid when it is needed.

The system would have 16 lithium-ion batteries, each roughly the size of a shipping container.

A fire at a BESS site in Liverpool in 2020 took 59 hours to extinguish after the battery overheated in a process called thermal runaway, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The proposed battery energy storage system would be off Barfields Lane at Reepham

Councillor Ian Fleetwood told the committee: “It appears to be in the middle of nowhere but isn’t really.

“Star Energy’s oil production site is right next door.

“There is also a railway line nearby working throughout the night, and I don’t know whether they carry chemicals or not.

“If there’s a serious fire, it could be a major disaster.”

Councillor Trevor Bridgewood said it would cause major problems if Star Energy needed to evacuate for a fire, and said the location was “not the right place.”

James Cook, speaking for the applicant, said: “The remote risk of thermal runaway is even more remote with new advancements.

“There will be a robust fire safety management plan, with an on-site water tank and secondary emergency access.”

Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Service neither supported nor opposed the application in its response.

Councillor John Barrett said: “This technology is all new to us, and it seems to be the same for the fire service.

“I think we need a site visit – I need to be clear in my mind where everything is and whether it’s safe.”

The application will be considered at a future planning meeting.

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