Challenges of Implementing Surface Water Management Strategies on Battery Storage Sites in England

Challenges of Implementing Surface Water Management Strategies on Battery Storage Sites in England

As the UK transitions towards a greener energy infrastructure, battery storage sites are becoming increasingly prevalent across England. These sites are crucial for balancing supply and demand in the energy grid, storing excess energy generated from renewable sources like wind and solar, and releasing it when needed. However, the rapid deployment of these sites presents several challenges, particularly in terms of drainage and environmental management.

The Growing Presence of Battery Storage Sites

The expansion of battery storage sites is an integral part of England's strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. With the increasing reliance on renewable energy, the need for efficient and reliable energy storage solutions has surged. Consequently, local councils across England are witnessing a rise in planning applications for these facilities. However, this rapid expansion is not without its complications, particularly regarding the infrastructure required to support these sites.

Fire Suppression: An Evolving Landscape

One of the primary concerns surrounding battery storage sites is fire safety. The guidance on fire suppression methods remains in its infancy and varies widely across different councils. This inconsistency creates challenges in designing drainage systems that adequately address the potential for fire-related incidents.

Fire suppression systems are essential to mitigate the risks associated with battery fires, but they also introduce additional complexities. For instance, the use of water-based fire suppression systems necessitates careful consideration of how firewater is managed within the site's drainage infrastructure. The lack of standardised guidelines across England means that each site may adopt different approaches, potentially leading to inconsistent practices in managing fire suppression runoff.

Drainage Challenges: Balancing Fire Suppression and Impermeable Areas

Effective drainage design for battery storage sites must account for both the increased impermeable surfaces (i.e. site drainage) and the need for additional water for firewater suppression. As these sites typically involve areas of impermeable ground (i.e. concrete bases, access roads etc), the volume of surface water runoff which needs to be accounted for can be substantial. Surface water runoff needs to be managed carefully to reduce the post-application surface water runoff from the Site to existing/betterment on existing runoff rates.

Moreover, there is a requirement for additional water on Site for use as fire suppression. ?When used during an emergency this can introduce pollutants, such as chemicals and battery residues, into the wider drainage network. If not managed correctly, this contaminated water can lead to significant pollution and water quality issues in nearby rivers, streams, and groundwater. The challenge lies in designing drainage systems that can effectively handle both routine surface water runoff and the potential influx of contaminated firewater, ensuring that neither overwhelms the drainage capacity nor poses an environmental risk.

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The Need for Standardised Guidance and Legislation

Given the complexities involved in managing drainage for battery storage sites, there is a clear need for standardised guidance and legislation. Currently, the lack of a unified approach across regions leads to inconsistencies in how these sites are designed and managed. Standardised guidelines would not only ensure a more cohesive approach to drainage and fire suppression but also promote the development of these critical sites across England. There has been a shift away from the original management position to consume itself (i.e. burn itself out) to needing water readily available on Site. However, quatums of water and pollution mitigation (i.e. lining of Sites, fitting a penstock to keep water within the drainage system) still vary greatly across the country making the planning and design process difficult.

Legislation could provide clear requirements for drainage design, including the treatment of firewater runoff, and establish best practices for managing the environmental impacts of these sites. Additionally, standardised fire suppression guidance would help harmonise safety measures across the country, ensuring that all battery storage sites meet a consistent level of protection against fire risks.

Conclusion

As battery storage sites become more widespread in England, addressing the challenges of drainage and firewater management is crucial.

The Draft NFCC Grid Scale Energy Storage System Planning – Guidance for Fire and Rescue Services ends its consultation period today. The draft has been produced to inform the Local Authorities and Fire Rescue Service with the aim to promote a more consistent approach across the country. This is a positive step forward and it is hoped that, when published, the guidance will mean a smoother process in drainage design on these types of sites, whilst still maintaining fire safety and environmental considerations.

The direction of travel is a positive one, but whilst this relatively new development type is being rapidly expanded and established, the importance of robust guidance and legislation will only increase. ????