Energy storage developers are increasingly focusing on securing community support for utility-scale battery projects, as these become more prevalent due to recent fires at sites in New York and California. These incidents have raised concerns about information gaps and lack of first responder outreach prior to the incidents. The energy storage trade group, NY-Best, is working with New York State task force to provide industry best practices for fire safety and community outreach. New policies include standardization of emergency response plans for battery storage facilities and mandatory training for first responders. Once an incident occurs, operators must share a root cause analysis within a reasonable time frame to address any shortcomings that can improve safety for future installations. The National Fire Protection Agency, or NFPA, 855, has also proposed requirements to better identify and characterize the types of emissions created by battery storage failures.
Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating
