"Big batteries at home could catch fire!

[jerry@infosec.exchange]

@jwildeboer FWIW, I recently had an albeit non-scientific discussion with the fire marshal of a city about the fire hazard of batteries. My take away from the discussion is that we have to segment the discussion into two - batteries that are made by reputable companies with reasonable safety standards and those that are super cheap (he mentioned buying through Alibaba as being problematic, but guessing both good and bad can be bought there but that people shopping there tend to look for the cheapest thing with the specs they want)

[jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.net]

@jerry Absolutely. But specifically here in Germany the rules are quite strict and people tend to not just buy batteries and install them DIY style, in almost all cases I know they get installed by certified companies and are of good quality. People know they would lose insurance if they did it DIY style. I have heard a few stories of off-grid DIY installations going up in flames in places like garden sheds, travel huts etc.

[ferricoxide@evil.social]

@[email protected]

I'd add a battery to my solar configuration, but they are so expensive (especially when you factor in how long they last before needing replacement).

[jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.net]

@ferricoxide Things will only get better In a few years you will be able to get solid state batteries that last for 10+ years at an acceptable price, if the current solutions are not good enough for you ATM.

[robloblaw@mastodon.social]

@david_chisnall @jwildeboer
The huge variability in quality of lithium batteries for smaller emobility devices may contribute. Scooters and ebikes are burning down houses frequently enough for fire departments to be warning of the risk.

BYD hybrids are notorious for catching fire, as are some of the EVs LGChem supplied batteries for.

These are hopefully just teething problems of an industry rapid developing.

For stationary storage, LFP chemistries are extremely safe.

[jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.net]

@robloblaw I am not a big fan of me trying hard to bring verifiable numbers to the table only to have someone waving their arms with some ominous "frequently" and "notorious for catching fire" without any sources or numbers to back those allegations up. Please don't @david_chisnall

[robloblaw@mastodon.social]

@jwildeboer @david_chisnall
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-25/nsw-battery-fires-fire-and-rescue-government-standards/104251516
"The department has referred to battery fires as "the fastest growing fire risk" in the state and people are four times more likely to be injured by a fire that originates from a lithium-ion battery than other sources."

https://news.dfes.wa.gov.au/media-releases-feature-stories/media-release-spike-in-battery-fires-sparks-warning/
“Since 2020, structure fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have increased in Western Australia by more than 85 per cent,” Commissioner Klemm said.

[robloblaw@mastodon.social]

@jwildeboer @david_chisnall
My comment was in response to "I wonder if there was a period when they were very unsafe, or if it was always just a marketing-driven perception."

There is an accurate perception of some small lithium ion batteries being dangerous due to poor quality and regulation. Same with SOME EVs.

This perception bleeds over into large house batteries, which are much better constructed, tested, and regulated. Sorry I was unclear.

[robloblaw@mastodon.social]

@jwildeboer @david_chisnall

Byd hybrid fires
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ht9MuTYXsTE
1:13

It's the ICE components causing fires. So again, it is a perception issue, with bad faith actors spreading FUD.

[jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.net]

@robloblaw Mixed with a loud undertone of anti-chines sentiment, IMHO. @david_chisnall