Fire in Otay Mesa puts battery storage projects under scrutiny and neighborhoods on edge

San Diego Union Tribune ^ | 6/21/2024 | By ROB NIKOLEWSKI

[cuz1961]

A fire at a battery storage facility in Otay Mesa is out — but the stubborn nature of the blaze has sparked opposition from some residents about the relative safety of at least three other battery projects that developers want to build in other parts of San Diego County.

Renewable energy supporters say battery facilities are essential to meet California’s goals to develop a carbon-free electric grid. State policymakers and battery companies say the risk of future fires will decrease over time, counting on technological improvements in battery chemistries and better designs at the facilities housing the batteries.

“My hope is that these projects continue to move forward, concerns are addressed and people really understand that we need these types of projects here in our region,” said Jason Anderson, CEO of CleanTech San Diego, a business association that promotes renewable energy growth.

“This reinforces neighbors’ concerns about the placement of these facilities,” said JP Theberge, two days after the Otay Mesa fire ignited. A member of the Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Town Council, Theberge is opposed to constructing a large battery storage project in North County.....

[cuz1961]

Gateway Energy Storage System Fire: Otay Mesa, CA

8m 1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7UY4ioP4VQ&pp=ygUxR2F0ZXdheSBFbmVyZ3kgU3RvcmFnZSBTeXN0ZW0gRmlyZTogT3RheSBNZXNhLCBDQQ%3D%3D

.

[rktman]

Would moving them to Otay ‘buckwheat’ mesa be okay?

[OSHA]

That didn’t take long.

[ASOC]

Shame they didn’t install Liquid Metal brand batteries, they don’t burn.

https://ambri.com/ built from the group up for utility grade service.

[KamperKen]

There was the Queensland, Australia, storage facility batter fire last year:

https://insideevs.com/news/688894/tesla-megapack-battery-fire-queensland-australia/

“Renewable” energy is leaving a swath of destruction in so many different ways.

[fidelis]

Would moving them to Otay ‘buckwheat’ mesa be okay?

It's pronounced differently than Buckwheat pronounced it ("O-tie" rather than "O-tay"). I lived there around 1960 as a small child. All I remember about it is being surrounded by tomato fields and the occasional march of the hornworms across the highway which fronted our house (squish squish, squish). Apparently it's changed somewhat since then.

[crusty old prospector]

Hey, Porky said it too.

[Yardstick]

🎶 Wookin pa nub in ah de wan... 🎶

It's pronounced differently than Buckwheat pronounced it ("O-tie" rather than "O-tay").

Oh. Nevermind then.

[null and void]

Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Town Council.

Elfin Forest Harmony Grove? How, uh, how Californian...

[rktman]

😳🤔👍

[Governor Dinwiddie]

[Pontiac]

Renewable energy supporters say battery facilities are essential to meet California’s goals to develop a carbon-free electric grid. State policymakers and battery companies say the risk of future fires will decrease over time, counting (wishing for) on technological improvements in battery chemistries and better designs at the facilities housing the batteries.

Wish in one hand sh!t in the other. See which one fills up first.

Before you mandate societal changing changes in how industry is powered you had better have the technical details worked out to the minutest detail.

Cheap power has for the last 100 years and more been the driver of economic growth. That is not going to change any time soon if ever.