Batteries create energy security,in any application,on grid or off.But battery chemistries matter,and they are not all the same.Lithium batteries made with cobalt(NMC&NCA)are fundamentally toxic,get hot,catch fire,explode,and are dangerous.By contrast,lithium batteries made with iron phosphate(LFP)are non-toxic,do not generate excessive heat or erupt into flames and do not explode.In April 2019,a serious explosion occurred at the McMicken energy storage facility in Surprise,Arizona.Owned and operated by the Arizona Public Service,the batteries in the McMicken facility stored energy generated from solar.Many details about the Arizona incident have not yet been reported to the public as the authorities,the utility,and the battery manufacturer are still investigating the explosion and endeavouring to determine its cause.After the explosion,the facility was immediately shut down.Grievously,several firefighters who were called to respond to the explosion and ensuing fire were hospitalised with serious injuries.
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