Comment on This Southern California solar farm is using retired EV batteries for storing the power and then send to the grid when needed. This way the retired batteries can extend their usefulness for several...

wooki@lemmynsfw.com ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

What an atrociously dangerous planned design.

  1. Poor design: Thermal runaway is a serious problem that this setup has a very high chance of occurring. When it occurs, not if, it will spread fast from one container to the next and it will not be able to be put out that is the current fire fighting procedure for the state.
  2. It is very dangerous cause these old batteries produce a very toxic and dangerous compounds when in thermal runaway. Again firefighting procedures cover hazmat requirements and it’s well documented the dangerous compounds that are present especially in these older batteries.

Net result. It will create another unstoppable fire that will dump poisons into ground water and the air recklessly endangering anyone down wind.

Solutions not problems:

  1. Isolate each container in an empty dam that is able to be filled with super chilled salt water the moment a runaway begins.
  2. Design fire suppression and shutdown to protect residents and the grid. Keep personal onsite to monitor with the authority to immediately react to fire incidents.

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