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Vistra Energy’s Northern California Battery Fire Sparks Industry Safety DebateVistra Energy’s Northern California Battery Fire Sparks Industry Safety Debate

A lithium battery fire at the world’s largest storage facility highlights safety challenges in energy storage systems.

Michael C. Anderson, Editor-in-Chief, Battery Technology

January 19, 2025

2 Min Read
YouTube screen capture - ABC7 Moss Landing fire report
A fire at Moss Landing Power Plant, the world's largest battery storage plant.YouTube screen capture - ABC7 Moss Landing fire report (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tyCV5RpLIY)

A fire at Vistra Energy’s Moss Landing lithium battery facility in Northern California has reignited concerns about safety within the growing energy storage sector. According to the Associated Press (AP), the blaze, which began Thursday, January 16, sent plumes of toxic smoke into the air and led to the evacuation of up to 1,500 residents near the site, located about 100 miles south of San Francisco. (The cause of the fire is yet unknown but there is no connection to the ongoing wildfire events still underway in Southern California.)

While the fire diminished significantly by Friday, crews opted to let it burn out rather than attempt suppression, a common approach to lithium-ion battery fires due to the high heat they produce. No injuries were reported, but residents raised concerns about hazardous gas emissions. Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church described the incident as “a wake-up call for the industry,” emphasizing the need for safer energy storage solutions. Here is local ABC affiliate ABC7’s coverage of the fire and its immediate repercussions:

Key implications for battery storage

Lithium-ion batteries are essential for stabilizing the grid and storing renewable energy for periods when solar or wind power is unavailable. However, these batteries are prone to "thermal runaway," a process that can result in intense fires and the release of toxic gases.

Related:Safe and Sound: NIST’s AI-Based Fire Prevention Tech Hears Li-ion Battery Failures Begin

Monterey County officials monitored air quality near the plant, with no hazardous gases detected by Friday evening. However, concerns about the release of hydrogen fluoride, a potentially dangerous gas, remain. According to Vistra, the Environmental Protection Agency and air quality consultants are conducting further testing, and the company has pledged to share results.

Brad Watson, Vistra’s senior director of community affairs, noted that this fire is the latest in a series of incidents, following two overheating events in 2021 and 2022 at the Moss Landing plant and another at a nearby Pacific Gas & Electric-owned facility.

What’s next for lithium battery safety?

California, a leader in battery storage, has over 11 gigawatts of utility-scale capacity online, capable of meeting nearly half of the state’s energy demand for four hours daily. Experts emphasize that despite safety concerns, lithium battery technology remains crucial for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving grid reliability.

Timothy Fox, managing director at ClearView Energy Partners, told AP, “We are not convinced that this incident could materially shift the national trend of growing grid-scale battery deployment.”

Related:Insights from Honeywell Expert on Vapor Detection for Batteries

An investigation into the fire's cause will commence once the site is deemed safe. Vistra has reiterated its commitment to community safety and collaboration with local responders.

About the Author

Michael C. Anderson

Editor-in-Chief, Battery Technology, Informa Markets - Engineering

Battery Technology Editor-in-Chief Michael C. Anderson has been covering manufacturing and transportation technology developments for more than a quarter-century, with editor roles at Manufacturing Engineering, Cutting Tool Engineering, Automotive Design & Production, and Smart Manufacturing. Before all of that, he taught English and literature at colleges in Japan and Michigan.

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