Quonset may get large battery storage facility; neighbors worry about fire risk

Green Development, a renewable energy company based in Cranston, Rhode Island, plans to construct the state's largest battery storage facility at Quonset Business Park. The facility will utilize lithium iron phosphate batteries, chosen for their stability and safety features, to mitigate fire risks associated with battery storage.

Local residents have expressed concerns about potential fire hazards, referencing a previous incident at the Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in California, which used less stable nickel manganese cobalt batteries. Green Development representatives assured that the design of the 208-megawatt project incorporates lessons learned from past incidents, including outdoor construction and segregated battery units to prevent fire spread.

The facility will feature specialized metal containers for each battery unit, equipped with computerized management systems to monitor key indicators such as voltage and temperature. These systems will be connected to a central control room, monitored 24/7, and linked to the North Kingstown Fire Department. Additional safety measures include smoke and gas detectors, as well as venting systems to extinguish potential fires.

Green Development has engaged with state fire officials and plans to conduct first responder training sessions. Despite past high-profile battery fires, the Electric Power Research Institute notes a decline in failure rates for battery projects in recent years.

In addition to its battery storage ambitions, Green Development has completed a pyrolysis plant in Quonset that converts wood chips into biochar, a carbon storage and soil amendment material. The company is also considering using similar technology for sewage sludge processing, though this proposal has faced local opposition.

The proposed battery facility, 70 times larger than Rhode Island's only existing utility-scale battery project, will begin the permitting process with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 28. Its location near a new transmission line from the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm aims to enhance grid reliability and reduce reliance on peaking power plants, potentially lowering consumer costs.