Fire at Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility Featuring LG Energy Proprietary Self Extinguishing UL9540A Solution: What We Know So Far

Moss Landing Lithium Ion Battery Storage Fire at Vistra Energy in Monterey California

On January 16, 2025, a significant fire erupted at the Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County, California, which houses one of the world's largest lithium-ion battery storage facilities operated by Vistra Energy. The blaze led to the evacuation of approximately 1,700 residents and raised concerns about potential air quality impacts due to the release of hazardous substances.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/batteries-fire-climate-california-e5957a710670930ca23c4b2d2e3ed75f

Incident Overview

The fire ignited in the afternoon and was challenging to extinguish due to the nature of lithium-ion batteries, which can release toxic gases such as hydrogen fluoride when burned. Given these challenges, emergency responders opted to let the fire burn out while closely monitoring air quality to protect public health.

https://apnews.com/article/battery-storage-plant-fire-california-moss-landing-7c561fed096f410ddecfb04722a8b1f8

Air Quality Monitoring Efforts

In response to the potential release of hazardous substances, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated air monitoring operations shortly after the fire began. The EPA installed nine monitoring stations strategically positioned to assess air quality in and around the affected area. These stations were located both at the facility and in nearby communities, including Moss Landing, areas due east of the fire, near Castroville, and in the vicinity of Moss Landing Middle School.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-completes-air-monitoring-near-moss-landing-vistra-battery-fire

The primary focus of the monitoring was to detect levels of hydrogen fluoride and particulate matter, both of which pose significant health risks. Hydrogen fluoride is a highly toxic gas produced during lithium-ion battery fires, and particulate matter can exacerbate respiratory conditions. The EPA's monitoring revealed that concentrations of these substances remained within safe limits, with no measurements exceeding California's human health standards. Consequently, the agency concluded that there was no risk to public health throughout the incident.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-completes-air-monitoring-near-moss-landing-vistra-battery-fire

Community Impact and Response

The fire prompted the Monterey County Sheriff's Office to issue evacuation orders for residents in the vicinity due to concerns over toxic smoke. Highway 1 was also temporarily closed as a precautionary measure. Residents were advised to stay indoors, close windows, and turn off ventilation systems to minimize exposure to potential airborne toxins.

Source: https://nypost.com/2025/01/17/us-news/california-battery-storage-plant-catches-fire-this-is-a-disaster/

Throughout the incident, the EPA collaborated with local and state agencies, including North Monterey County Fire, Monterey County Environmental Health, and the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, to share air monitoring data and inform public health decisions. Vistra Energy also engaged a third-party environmental consultant to conduct additional air monitoring in the surrounding communities, ensuring comprehensive surveillance of air quality during the event.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-completes-air-monitoring-near-moss-landing-vistra-battery-fire

Conclusion

The Moss Landing battery fire underscored the importance of rigorous air quality monitoring in the wake of industrial incidents involving hazardous materials. The prompt response and coordinated efforts of federal, state, and local agencies were instrumental in ensuring public safety and mitigating potential health risks associated with the fire.

Moss Landing, the world’s biggest grid battery, caught fire again

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Moss Landing, the world’s biggest grid battery, caught fire again


Vistra Energy Fire Featuring LG Energy Battery Solutions with Proprietary Self Extinguishing UL9540A Solution (apparently that didn't work at Moss Landing)

On Thursday evening, a significant fire erupted at Vistra Corp.'s flagship grid battery project, situated within a historic power plant established in 1950 in Moss Landing, California. The blaze prompted the evacuation of approximately 1,200 residents and led to road closures, including a segment of Highway 1. As of Friday morning, local authorities reported that much of the building housing the batteries had been destroyed, marking the most destructive of four battery-related fires in the area since Moss Landing became central to California's clean energy initiatives.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. This incident underscores the challenges the energy storage industry faces in securing community support for large-scale battery projects, which are vital for transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church likened the event to a Three Mile Island moment for the industry, emphasizing its potential impact on public perception.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as apocalyptic, with flames reaching 100 feet and a massive plume of black smoke illuminating the night sky. The evacuation affected residents in Moss Landing and nearby communities, many of whom work in local agriculture and faced challenges due to the sudden displacement.

Moss Landing has been pivotal in California's strategy to enhance battery storage capacity, aiming to store excess solar energy for use during peak demand hours. Vistra's facility, which began operations in 2020, was among the largest of its kind, with an initial capacity of 300 megawatts/1,200 megawatt-hours, later expanding to 750 megawatts/3,000 megawatt-hours. The facility utilizes NMC batteries manufactured by South Korea's LG Energy Solution.

This recent fire is the latest in a series of incidents at the Moss Landing site. In 2021, the facility experienced two high-temperature safety incidents, and in 2022, a fire occurred at a nearby Tesla battery plant. These events highlight the inherent risks associated with large-scale battery storage and the importance of robust safety measures.

As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a critical reminder of the challenges and risks in the rapidly growing energy storage sector, emphasizing the need for stringent safety protocols and community engagement.

Energy Storage System ESS is a system that can store energy LG with Proprietary Self Extinguishing UL9540A Solution (apparently that didn't work at Moss Landing)

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TEL: 1-608-238-6001 Email: greg@salgenx.com

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