Abstract

Storing a considerable amount of energy in one place may pose a risk to residents in the surrounding area. The same applies to energy stored in batteries. This is because substances in batteries, such as lithium, can be flammable, explosive or toxic. Lithium is well suited for storing energy in a battery.

Due to the energy transition, batteries are increasingly used in products. This results in more storage facilities for batteries, where many batteries or products containing batteries are stored together. The number of battery energy storage systems has also increased. Battery energy storage systems are containers in which renewable energy, such as wind and solar energy, is stored in batteries.

The Netherlands is developing policies to limit the risks of battery energy storage systems and large storage facilities containing batteries. The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has developed a method to calculate the third-party risks of these systems and facilities. It did so at the request of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. This method can be used to calculate at what distance from homes, schools and hospitals it is safe to install new storage systems.

RIVM advises the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to use this calculation method for the policies referred to above. The new calculation method is relevant for people working on spatial planning projects.