They want to install giant lithium-ion batteries on the roof of a house in Brooklyn: they often explode and catch fire

One of the city's departments is now standing between a private company and its plan to build a rooftop lithium-ion power plant in Brooklyn. If the project is approved, it will be the first time that such a substation will be on the roof of a residential building in any area of ​​the city. Throughout the United States and possibly around the world, reports New York Post.

But this does not mean that the residents of the house are happy about it.

MicroGrid Networks, the commercial company behind the plan, says there are very few suitable places to put the batteries. And building on New Yorkers' rooftops is essential if the city is to meet its climate goals. On top of an apartment building in Williamsburg, they plan to install a powerful battery of 18 batteries. But residents fear for their safety because of the risk of lithium ion explosions. And also for the safety of the building in particular. Will his design be able to withstand several tons above them.

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Since 2020, MicroGrid has been working on installing 2,5 megawatts of energy storage on the roof of 315 Berry St. This seven-story loft building is three blocks from Domino Park and the East River. These batteries are charged at night and then provide power to ConEd during heatwaves and other periods of peak grid usage. They have already been installed on the rooftops of the Barclays Center and the TWA Hotel at Kennedy Airport. And behind a mall and residential project in East New York. They are needed to meet the policy targets for renewable energy in New York City. And also to unload aging infrastructure. But in a city where real estate is scarce. Private companies are having a hard time finding landlords willing to house their batteries. And the roofs of residential buildings are currently completely prohibited.

For 2 years, the residents of 315 Berry Street fought to avoid being the first apartment building to have cutting-edge technology on its roof.

However, they feel they are losing. And they suspect that they will soon become a “guinea pig”. And their case will open the floodgates for installing similar batteries on the roofs of other residential buildings.

“It's more intimidating than frustrating. The prospect of living with 400 pounds of batteries overhead that could catch fire or explode at any moment,” said 000-year-old Olivia Silver. She has lived at 25 Berry all her life. (MicroGrid estimates the equipment will weigh about 315 pounds.)

“I fear for myself, my house and building. And besides, I'm afraid for the city,” said Paige Stevenson. She moved into this building in 1989. “I feel like our group of residents is the last line of defense against the really frightening introduction of such devices into homes. The technique is not safe,” says Stevenson.

A group of residents discussed hiring a civil engineer or lawyer to help them deal with the situation. But they have neither the means nor the resources.

They are surprised that the FDNY agreed to this. Especially given the recent fires on Tesla e-bikes and batteries. But the lithium-ion phosphate MicroGrid batteries are similar and an order of magnitude larger. The company wrote in the presentation that “these batteries, unlike other lithium batteries, do not catch fire.” But other lithium-ion phosphate batteries have been linked to at least one deadly explosion. Residents of the building also note that their early 49th-century 20-apartment building is not able to carry a large load on its roof. It is covered with cracks, has more than 25 open violations. And also there is a decree on partial collapse. Somehow, a piece of the façade fell into the now-closed public garden below.

An FDNY spokesperson explained that the approval of MicroGrid's rooftop battery plan came after extensive review.

The decision is driven by security measures and is partly based on the lack of space to install batteries on the ground.

“The Department understands that this large installation will supply power to the utility grid. And it will be placed on the roof of the building due to the lack of ground platforms in the area, ”the FDNY said.

The building's landlord, Richard Herbst, said that when MicroGrid initially presented him with their plan, he immediately agreed. “Although lithium-ion batteries have been in the news lately because of fires,” he understands that MicroGrid batteries are different.

Tim Dumbleton, COO of MicroGrid, stressed that "the technical and security aspects of the project have been carefully reviewed by many agencies." He disagreed with the tenants' claims about the company and its batteries. “I think it will be very difficult for the city to fulfill its obligations without residential buildings,” he said. And he added: “Without [enough] energy storage, you will have to curtail the city's electrification program. The upstate offshore wind and solar plan won't work either. For the foreseeable future, the city will remain with the old gas and oil infrastructure.”

” Both the Department of Buildings and the fire department considered the installation. They concluded that it was safe,” said Rebecca Bahr, director of project management at MicroGrid.

The next consideration of this issue in the Board of Standards and Appeals will take place in early January. There will be an opportunity for public comment before they decide whether New York's electric future should be powered from rooftops or somewhere else.