Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

What is a BESS?

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a large-scale energy facility that stores electricity in industrial battery units — often housed in container-sized enclosures on concrete pads — and releases it later to support the grid during periods of high demand. While many current projects use lithium-ion technology, other battery chemistries may also be deployed depending on the system design.

What is the concern with BESS near homes?

Battery storage is a rapidly growing technology, and safety standards and regulations are still developing as deployment expands. Many residents and fire safety experts have raised concerns about risks such as thermal runaway, fire containment challenges, and emergency response planning, particularly when facilities are proposed near homes, schools, or farms.

Potential Concerns Reported with Some BESS Facilities

Public reporting, industry analyses, and community discussions have raised questions about:

• Fire and explosion risks associated with lithium-ion battery systems
• Potential chemical releases during fire events
• Temporary air quality impacts during emergency incidents
• Light and operational noise impacts
• Possible property value considerations near large industrial facilities
• Potential effects on local tax base if assessed values change
• Questions about long-term insurability
• Physical security and cybersecurity considerations
• Decommissioning, site restoration, and battery disposal responsibilities

Do BESS catch fire often?

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) fire events are considered relatively uncommon compared with the total number of systems in operation. However, publicly available incident trackers and safety research have documented more than 150 reported BESS-related incidents worldwide since 2017.

As deployment accelerates, the number of publicly reported events has also grown, prompting continued attention from fire safety organizations, regulators, and local communities.

These incidents do not occur at every facility, but they highlight ongoing safety challenges associated with large-scale lithium-ion systems. Importantly, thermal runaway is often the outcome rather than the initial cause. Many documented events begin with underlying failures such as electrical faults, cooling system problems, battery management system errors, or other component malfunctions. In some cases, these issues can escalate into thermal runaway, producing extremely high heat and fires that may be difficult to control once underway.

While the cells used in BESS differ from those in electric vehicles or consumer devices, they share similar lithium-ion chemical properties that can create serious fire risks when damaged, overheated, or improperly managed.

October 1, 2025 – Peoria, AZ BESS Fire

Why does a BESS catch fire?

Fires in lithium-ion battery systems are typically associated with thermal runaway — a condition in which a failing or damaged cell overheats and transfers heat to adjacent cells, potentially creating a cascading reaction.

However, thermal runaway is often the result of an underlying issue. Investigations into past BESS incidents have identified contributing factors such as:

• Defective or damaged battery cells
• Electrical or wiring faults
• Cooling system failures
• Battery management system (BMS) malfunctions
• Installation or commissioning errors

These findings have led safety organizations and regulators to continue refining standards, testing protocols, and oversight requirements.

Are only old BESS catching fire?

No. Publicly reported incidents have occurred at both recently constructed and longer-operating facilities, including events in Arizona and California in recent years.

As large-scale storage deployment has accelerated nationwide, industry publications and safety groups have documented increased incident reporting. Some analysts have noted that rapid buildout timelines may present additional quality-control and oversight challenges, underscoring the importance of consistent safety standards.

Can a BESS be shut down remotely if there is an issue?

Can a BESS be shut down remotely if there is an issue?

Operators can remotely isolate equipment and de-energize unaffected portions of a facility. However, once an individual lithium-ion cell enters thermal runaway, it cannot simply be “shut off” like conventional electrical equipment. The chemical reaction generates its own heat and gases until it runs its course.

In several publicly reported incidents, damaged battery units required extended monitoring, cooling, and controlled remediation due to the difficulty of fully stabilizing affected cells.

Do we even need BESS in Michigan?

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) confirmed in August 2025 that the state currently has sufficient capacity to meet demand through 2030 without additional storage projects.  👉 Read about BESS oversaturation →

How big is the proposed Oshtemo BESS?

The NewEdge Power presented to the Oshtemo Township Planning Commission on August 14, 2025 to be a 5 acre, 216-260 MW+ facility. Additional project details from meeting were obtained via FOIA documents from Oshtemo Township . 👉 Follow the Oshtemo BESS updates →

But Won’t a Nearby BESS lower my electricity bill?

To date, there is limited clear evidence that the presence of a specific local BESS facility directly reduces residential electricity bills.

Financial incentives — including federal tax credits and other program benefits — generally apply to project owners and investors. In regulated markets, system costs are typically recovered through utility rate structures approved by state regulators.

What happens when a BESS catches fire?

Fire response strategies depend on the system design and the severity of the event. In some documented incidents, lithium battery fires have proven difficult to fully extinguish using conventional methods. In those cases, firefighters have focused on isolating affected units and preventing the fire from spreading while allowing damaged batteries to burn out under controlled conditions.

Such incidents can involve prolonged response efforts and, in certain cases, temporary evacuations or shelter-in-place advisories due to smoke or hazardous gas concerns. 👉 Read about BESS firefighting challenges →

What happens to the land around a BESS?

Large energy facilities can raise concerns about noise, visual impacts, emergency planning, and long-term compatibility with nearby homes or farms. Some studies on industrial development have found that property values may be affected when safety or nuisance concerns are present. Homeowners may also wish to consult real estate professionals about any disclosure considerations when selling near major utility infrastructure.

Why would a landowner want a BESS on their land?

Developers may offer lease payments for land near substations or transmission lines, which can be financially attractive. In some cases, the landowner may not live close enough to experience potential day-to-day impacts like noise, lighting, or increased site activity. 👉 Read more about developer incentives →

Why should landowners take caution before signing a BESS lease?

Some BESS developers are relatively new companies with limited long-term operating history. It is also common for large projects to be structured through separate LLCs. In the broader energy sector, past bankruptcies and site incidents have shown that long-term liability, decommissioning, and cleanup responsibilities can become complicated — so landowners should review agreements carefully and seek independent legal advice.

Is this the same as the BESS in the news for Comstock?

It is the same type of project. In Comstock Township, a proposed BESS facility near a school has prompted significant public discussion. Public meeting records reflect a range of views, with some officials expressing openness to state-approved projects and many residents raising concerns about siting near homes and community facilities. 👉 Read about the Comstock case →

Why are so many of these being installed in Michigan?

Michigan has established a statewide energy storage target of 2,500 MW by 2030 under recent clean energy legislation, which provides direction for utilities and developers to add battery storage capacity as part of broader grid planning and renewable integration efforts. Nationwide, the number of operating battery-storage projects increased from about 178 in 2024 to more than 830 by October 2025, according to industry data. 👉 Read about possible implications of rushed construction →

Why doesn’t the Oshtemo Township Board just say no?

Under Michigan Public Act 233 of 2023, large energy projects that meet state standards can fall under the Michigan Public Service Commission’s final siting authority, limiting a township’s ability to deny them outright.

However, Oshtemo can retain meaningful local control by adopting a strong Energy Ordinance that matches or exceeds MPSC requirements and fully exercises its zoning and police powers — including hazardous materials, fire safety, setbacks, noise, and decommissioning protections. Without such an ordinance, the MPSC may assume broader jurisdiction.

Public meeting records reflect that several Board members expressed support for BESS development under state oversight, while residents raised concerns about siting near homes.

Oshtemo meeting transcripts indicate that several Oshtemo Board Members expressed support for BESS development under state authority, despite public concerns about siting near residential areas..

Ok, this is the last thing I want my family to live near – What can I do as a resident?

You are not alone, there is a growing number of Oshtemo Residents speaking out – there is strength in numbers.

Here’s how you can take action:

• Stay informed through local community groups, including Protect SW Michigan: Say NO to the Oshtemo BESS.
• Submit comments to the MPSC, which has final siting authority under PA 233 of 2023.
• Contact your state legislators and share your concerns about safety, oversight, and local input.
• Engage respectfully with landowners and neighbors to better understand how proposed projects may affect the community.
• Encourage  the MPSC to hold hearings on legislation related to local siting authority.
• Speak at Oshtemo Township Meetings and urge adoption of a local Energy Ordinance that prioritizes residential safety.

How safe is “close enough” to a utility-scale BESS site?

Federal emergency response guidance from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) provides precautionary evacuation distances for certain lithium-ion battery transportation fires that can extend up to approximately 0.5 miles, depending on conditions and materials involved.

By contrast, Michigan’s Public Act 233 of 2023 permits certain large-scale energy storage facilities to be located as close as 300 feet from residential property lines, provided state siting standards are met.

While transportation guidance and stationary facility standards are not identical, the comparison has raised questions among some residents about what constitutes an appropriate safety buffer near homes.

In several publicly reported BESS fire incidents in the United States, emergency officials have ordered evacuations extending beyond the immediate site perimeter and required multi-day stabilization efforts. Post-incident environmental assessments in some cases have examined soil, air, or water impacts associated with battery fire by-products.

These examples underscore why siting distance, emergency planning, and local safety standards remain central concerns for nearby communities.

👉 Learn more about hazardous spill regulations →

The list of BESS Incidents Continues to Grow in 2025

On October 1, 2025, multiple fire departments responded to a battery storage fire in Peoria, Arizona, working for several hours to contain the incident, according to media reports.

As in other lithium battery fires, responders focused on preventing the spread to nearby units rather than directly extinguishing affected cells. The Peoria facility was reportedly smaller than the BESS proposed for Oshtemo Township, yet it still required a significant emergency response and safety perimeter.

October 1, 2025 Arizona Bess Fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o1XLurG1fE ,https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/massive-fire-breaks-out-peoria-battery-storage-facility

And September 24, 2025’s BESS Fire in Boulder City, Nevada – Tesla battery fire at Boulder City solar facility burns for hours, prompts multi-agency response: https://www.ktnv.com/news/fire-breaks-out-at-townsite-solar-in-boulder-city

Some Communities Are Reconsidering Large-Scale BESS Projects

Communities across the country are reviewing battery storage safety as more incidents are publicly reported. In certain cases, BESS fires have resulted in property damage, extended cleanup efforts, and complex questions about long-term responsibility.

Because project ownership structures can involve separate LLCs or asset transfers, post-incident recovery and decommissioning oversight may require coordination among developers, insurers, and local authorities.

In Michigan, final approval authority for certain large-scale BESS facilities can rest with the three-member Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) if a developer chooses that route. State standards apply even when local governments raise objections, which is why residents are encouraged to submit comments and advocate for strong safety and siting requirements.

Some jurisdictions in states such as California and New York have temporarily paused or tightened restrictions on new battery projects while reviewing safety protocols. Michigan residents are asking whether similar reviews should occur here.