SAN FRANCISCO — A significant fire broke out at the world’s largest battery storage facility in Northern California, leading to the evacuation of approximately 1,500 individuals. The inferno, which erupted at the Vistra Energy lithium battery plant in Moss Landing, generated intense flames and a large volume of toxic smoke. As of Friday, the fire had subsided considerably, yet its impact is reverberating through the burgeoning battery storage industry.
Fire Chief Joel Mendoza from the North County Fire Protection District of Monterey County stated that the situation had improved, with little to no smoke plume emanating from the facility. Crews have not actively engaged with the fire, as it is common protocol to allow lithium-ion battery fires to burn out on their own due to the extreme heat they produce and their difficulty to extinguish. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries, but residents voiced their anxieties regarding potential hazardous gases released into the atmosphere.
The aftermath of the fire, located about 100 miles south of San Francisco, is beginning to unfold. Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church highlighted at a Friday morning briefing that this incident signifies more than just a fire; it serves as a critical alert for the industry, emphasizing the necessity for a safe and reliable battery system if the transition to sustainable energy is to continue effectively.
Battery storage is regarded as essential for distributing clean energy when solar and wind power are not available, having gained prominence in recent years. However, lithium batteries are known for being susceptible to “thermal runaway,” which can lead to intense fires and the emission of harmful gases. Vistra is a key energy supplier to Pacific Gas & Electric, one of the largest utility companies in the nation.
According to Monterey County spokesperson Nicholas Pasculli, the fire was contained within the facility and did not spread to surrounding areas. As of Friday, evacuation orders were still in place for residents, who were advised to keep their windows closed and air conditioning units turned off. “This is a disaster; there’s no sugar-coating it,” Supervisor Church remarked during an interview.
In response to community concerns, Vistra’s senior director of community affairs, Brad Watson, confirmed that the Environmental Protection Agency is currently evaluating air quality in the vicinity, along with the involvement of an air quality consultant to assess pollution levels in surrounding neighborhoods. The results of these tests will be released by Vistra when available.
Kelsey Scanlon, director of Monterey County’s Department of Emergency Management, addressed concerns regarding the release of hydrogen fluoride—a gas known to irritate mucous membranes and can be lethal with prolonged exposure. Residents expressed their worries regarding air quality during an emergency board meeting in Monterey County earlier that day.
Claims arose from the community suggesting that the fire department lacked proper fire retardants, which may have led to the need for the fire to burn out in such close proximity to populated areas. Sheriff Tina Nieto reassured that air quality monitoring systems have not registered hazardous levels of gas and that enhanced monitoring systems were expected to arrive for further assessment before the evacuation orders would be lifted.
Past incidents of battery overheating in 2021 and 2022, attributed to wet batteries, were noted by Watson, along with another event involving a neighboring PG&E-owned facility in 2022. Lithium batteries play a pivotal role in stabilizing the power grid and mitigating the reliance on fossil fuels. California stands at the forefront of battery storage development, leading the United States with over 11 gigawatts of utility-scale storage capacity, enough to meet nearly half of the state’s grid demands for up to four hours daily.
Experts agree that while lithium batteries are vital for reducing carbon emissions and enhancing grid reliability, existing technology still carries significant fire hazards, particularly when damaged. Despite the seriousness of the accident, Timothy Fox, managing director of ClearView Energy Partners, believes it may not significantly deter the growth trend in grid-scale battery deployments.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and Vistra has stated that safety precautions were taken to evacuate personnel in a timely manner. Once the fire is extinguished, a detailed inquiry will commence. “The safety of the community and our employees is our highest priority, and we are grateful for the ongoing support from local emergency responders,” Vistra spokesperson Jenny Lyon asserted.
Experts in the field, like Jodie Lutkenhaus from Texas A&M University, stress the necessity of developing more secure battery technologies for grid applications. Although some enhancements may reduce the risk associated with lithium batteries, sustainable alternatives such as water-based and redox flow batteries are being researched but await commercial viability. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are also considered as a more stable substitute while still presenting some fire risk.
Ultimately, professionals like Yiguang Ju from Princeton University emphasize that regardless of the type, large lithium battery systems inherently pose considerable fire hazards.
