A newly installed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Exeter, UK Reported Smoke/Fire Incident
A newly installed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Exeter, UK, experienced a smoke/fire incident on June 22 at around 5:30 pm (BST), according to local reports.
The project, called Battery Box, is operated by Amp Clean Energy and is designed as a compact roadside energy storage solution for local grid support.
According to the company:
Smoke was reported from one cabinet associated with the grid connection point.
The BESS was safely shut down following standard safety procedures.
The battery system will remain offline while the investigation continues.
The company said there is currently no reason to believe the incident was related to the recent hot weather.
Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service responded to the scene, isolated the battery storage unit from the nearby substation, established a safety cordon, and cooled the installation using hose reels.
At this stage, the cause of the incident has not been disclosed, and there are no confirmed reports regarding property damage or injuries.
Since the installation is located in a residential area, the event has renewed public discussion about BESS safety, fire protection, and siting.
Does anyone have additional information about this project or know whether the smoke originated from the battery enclosure itself or from the grid interconnection equipment? Interested to hear insights from people working in BESS or utility operations.