New fire protection guidelines launched for battery energy storage in Sweden

by Featured NewsIndustrialSafetySustainability

Guideline introduction aims to enhance safety of energy storage systems in Sweden

Swedish Solar Energy has issued an updated fire protection guideline, version 1.1, focusing on the installation of stationary battery storage systems (BESS) in Sweden.

This latest version, released on October 29, 2024, was developed after consultations with industry members, including input from the Swedish Fire Protection Association.

As renewable energy adoption and the use of lithium battery storage expand, the guideline aims to support safety for battery installations across both private and commercial settings.

The new guideline is directed at a broad range of stakeholders, such as installers, property owners, and others in the energy storage industry.

Swedish Solar Energy’s CEO, Anna Werner, stated: “With this guideline, we want to make it easier for players in the industry to work safely and sustainably.

“It is an important tool to ensure fire safety and at the same time support the expansion of energy storage systems in Sweden.”

Guideline offers safety guidance and risk assessment strategies

The updated document provides actionable guidance on safe battery installation, maintenance, risk assessments, and battery placement.

With the rising use of lithium batteries in energy storage, Swedish Solar Energy intends for these measures to mitigate risks associated with battery fires and explosions.

The guideline encompasses both small-scale residential battery setups and large industrial installations, such as freestanding commercial battery units.

It also outlines precautionary measures to reduce fire risks and offers procedures for emergency response preparations.

Rising demand for battery storage among Swedish households

Swedish Solar Energy reports a significant increase in tax credits granted for home battery installations, reflecting the growth in residential energy storage demand.

Tax credit approvals rose from 2,000 in 2021 to 43,000 in 2023.

The trend is anticipated to persist, with home battery installations projected to increase from approximately 200 MW to nearly 400 MW in 2024.

In the commercial sector, battery capacity is also set to grow, with installations on industrial sites expected to collectively surpass 1,000 MW by the end of 2024, compared to around 100 MW at the end of 2023.

Growth in battery projects supporting the Swedish power grid

The number of batteries pre-qualified to deliver support services to the Swedish power grid rose substantially from 40 MW to 80 MW in 2023.

By early October 2024, more than 530 MW of battery capacity had been pre-qualified, with several additional projects awaiting approval.

This increase underscores the growing role of battery storage systems in stabilising and supporting Sweden’s energy infrastructure.

Swedish Solar Energy releases updated fire protection guideline for battery storage systems: Summary

Swedish Solar Energy launched version 1.1 of its fire protection guideline for stationary battery storage systems on October 29, 2024.

Developed with industry input, the guideline is aimed at enhancing the safety of lithium battery installations across residential and commercial settings.

It provides installation, maintenance, and risk assessment advice to support the safe use of battery storage systems.

Demand for energy storage has grown notably, with tax credits for residential systems rising from 2,000 in 2021 to 43,000 in 2023.

Large-scale battery projects are also expanding, with commercial installations set to exceed 1,000 MW by the end of 2024.

Additionally, battery capacity pre-qualified for grid support has increased, marking a significant advancement in Sweden’s energy infrastructure.

Fire breaks out at Gothenburg’s Liseberg amusement complex

by Featured News

Firefighters in Sweden have been engaged in a challenging effort to extinguish a fire at a water park under construction at Liseberg, one of the country’s most renowned amusement centres, for a second consecutive day.

The incident, which occurred in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city, has resulted in one employee being reported missing and 16 individuals, primarily workers, sustaining minor injuries.

Liseberg authorities investigate cause and assess damage

The cause of the fire at the Oceana water park remains undetermined, with the blaze having started on Monday and quickly spreading across various water slides and the pool area.

Svante Carlsson, representing the city’s fire department, noted that the fire was under control by Tuesday.

“There was extensive damage and some parts of the structure have collapsed,” he said, indicating an expectation for the fire crews to remain at the scene for an extended period.

Evacuations and ongoing efforts to secure the area

In response to the emergency, a nearby hotel and office buildings were evacuated.

The police have initiated an investigation into the incident, treating it as a workplace accident and a case of “gross public negligence.”

The firefighting efforts were complicated by the risk of further structural collapse, though teams reported still working to extinguish remaining pockets of fire.

Eyewitness accounts and safety precautions

According to eyewitnesses and rescue services, a powerful fire engulfed outdoor water slides and facilities on Monday, with no serious injuries reported.

However, one man remains missing, a spokesperson for Liseberg informed TT, a Swedish news agency.

Liseberg’s statement revealed that the missing individual was working on the project.

As efforts to quell the flames continued, local authorities advised residents to remain indoors and keep windows closed to avoid smoke inhalation.

IFSJ Comment

The fire at Liseberg’s Oceana water park presents a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety measures and rapid emergency response capabilities in construction sites, especially within high-traffic public venues.

The collaborative efforts between firefighting teams, police, and local authorities in managing the situation underscore the critical need for preparedness and resilience against unexpected disasters.

As the investigation unfolds, it will be essential to assess and implement enhanced safety protocols to prevent future occurrences, ensuring the well-being of workers and visitors alike.

The incident also highlights the community’s role in supporting emergency response through adherence to safety advisories, reinforcing the collective responsibility towards public safety.

Swedish firefighters call for exemptions to ban on 24-hour shifts

by Featured News

Over 2,700 Swedish firefighters have signed a petition in protest against new working hour rules that will come into effect this autumn. The European Union’s decision means the end of the 24-hour shift that firefighters in Sweden have traditionally worked.

The directive mandates that employees must have 11 hours of rest during a 24-hour period. This could mean that schedules change for firefighters and that they are prohibited from working 24-hour shifts. Instead, they will have to work more shifts per month.

According to one of the proposals that have been put forward, firefighters must work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night, from 19:00 to 07:00, resulting in a difficult schedule for firefighters, with three consecutive overnight shifts.

A group of independent firefighters has now started a petition targeting the country’s 5,000 full-time firefighters. So far, almost 3,000 firefighters have signed the petition, demanding exemptions for emergency services. Firefighters warn that the new rules will lead to worsening working conditions and an increased risk of mass redundancies.

According to Magnus Krantz, ombudsman for the National Association of Firefighters, the parties must try to negotiate an exception for community-supporting functions, including the rescue service. However, SKR, which represents the employers, said that an exception is not possible, with head of negotiations Jeanette Hedberg saying that it is not a free choice to follow the directive.

Patrick Falck, a firefighter at Ekerö fire station and petition signee, said he believes that the new working hours make it more difficult to combine the profession with parenthood.

Falck also said that he is considering changing professions, and he is confident that many of his colleagues will follow the same path. The new rules may have disastrous consequences on the firefighters’ profession, and negotiations between parties continue as they try to find a way to address the firefighters’ concerns.