Battery Energy Storage Systems Guidance Report

The transition to renewable energy generation requires energy storage solutions to preserve the current system resilience, ensuring that supply matches the demand needs within Australia. There have been a number of larger BESS installations in the past decade; most notably, the South Australian Hornsdale and Victorian Big Battery facilities. Although these grid-scale applications of batteries are advantageous, there have been several self-heating, thermal runaway and other incidents which have highlighted hazards and risks which need further consideration. This report highlights a high-level risk assessment and develops guidance material from a broader range of industries and facets applicable to energy storage facilities.