Battery Fires in Focus: Dissecting the Moss Landing Incident

The blaze at Moss Landing Power Plant in California has reignited critical discussions about the safety of large-scale battery systems. For the affected community, the fire has caused significant disruption to daily life, with over 1,200 residents evacuated. Could such incidents be prevented? 

The affected Moss Landing energy storage facility was installed over 5 years ago, and two major factors have contributed to the significant fire risk at the site:

• Choice of chemistry: The Moss Landing facility used lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) batteries, which, while energy-dense, are more prone to thermal instability compared to newer alternatives like lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Majority of energy storage projects today use LFP batteries around the world.

• Outdated fire suppression designs: Conventional water-based fire suppression systems, as used at the Moss Landing site, are often incapable of extinguishing lithium-ion fires, which require advanced suppression technologies instead.

The energy storage industry has seen rapid technological progress over the past 5 years, and many regulation changes and industrial standards put in place have made energy storage projects much safer and more robust today.

At Posh, we are addressing safety in energy storage through innovative design principles. 

‍Safer Battery Chemistry

Posh prioritizes safer and more sustainable battery chemistries such as LFP technology. LFP batteries offer enhanced thermal stability, reducing the risk of thermal runaway. They also eliminate cobalt, addressing ethical and environmental concerns tied to mining, and feature extended cycle life, making them ideal for utility-scale projects.

Improved safety features:
Our battery integrates NFPA 855-compliant safety standards that include fire detection, suppression, and control systems. Our aerosol-based fire suppression system ensures that any thermal runaway can be effectively contained. In addition, the inclusion of active deflagration helps mitigate the effects of rapid gas release and pressure buildup caused by the thermal runaway.

‍UL9540 Certification

Our Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) meet UL9540 certification, the industry gold standard for safety and performance. This certification integrates rigorous testing under UL1973, UL9540A and UL1741, and ensure robust operational reliability and protection against thermal runaway.

‍Proprietary Technology Advancements

To enhance performance and safety, we have also invested in R&D effort for our next generation products:

• Advanced Battery Management System (BMS) with active balancing: This system ensures real-time monitoring of individual battery cells, enabling early detection of overheating or faults. The active balancing feature dynamically redistributes charges within the battery packs, optimizing efficiency and extending lifespan.
• Immersion Cooling: Submerges battery cells in dielectric liquid for superior heat dissipation, minimizing thermal runaway risks and maintaining consistent performance.

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