North Dakota Approves Battery Storage Sites

(Photo courtesy of NextEra Energy via the North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota has approved its first two large battery storage sites, but one regulator said future projects should better address risks associated with fires at the sites.

The three-person Public Service Commission unanimously approved a battery storage site in northwest North Dakota’s Burke County. In January, it approved a similar project in Emmons County in south-central North Dakota. Both projects are connected to NextEra wind farms, providing a more consistent flow of electricity.

Before the vote, commission Chair Randy Christmann said he wanted to “get a point out to industry” that it should provide a list of all toxins that could be released if a battery site were to catch fire — one of the primary concerns about the storage systems.

“I hope in the future, on these applications, the full list of things that could come off of a fire are provided in advance to the local emergency officials and let them decide if they think they need additional resources for personal protection, or if they want to oppose the project,” Christmann said.