Are Bloggers Aware of Safety Standards When Publishing Articles on Home Energy Storage?
Is it fair to ask that of them?
With the rise of renewable energy solutions, the installation of home energy storage systems is becoming more common. However, with these systems comes an increased risk of fires. To prevent fire hazards, the National Fire Protection Association created a standard, NFPA 855, that limits the use of battery systems at a single residence.
Recently, Clean Technica published an article that violates this standard, causing concern among safety-conscious individuals. This raises the question of whether bloggers are aware of safety standards when publishing articles on home energy storage.
From Doug Housman on LinkedIn:
Yet another article that violates standards
Clean Technica does it again with an article that indicates something that violates #NFPA-855.
NFPA-855 limits the use of battery systems to 4 units that total not more than 80 kWh of storage (and a limit to each unit of 20 kWh) for Lithium-ion batteries.
The Clean Technica article talks about upto 10 Tesla Powerwalls (135 kWh) at a single residence.
I am beginning to wonder if the editors know to check regulations, standards, etc. on their articles or if they are just putting anything sent to them on their blog in hopes of getting eyeballs?
This is a safety issue, which is why the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) created this standard.
To be fai, Chris kaiser responded:
as Jason Hanna pointed out, Media Companies are going to defer to the experts, and in this case, Tesla is an expert on their technology. If Tesla’s sales/marketing material indicates 10 #powerwall‘s can be installed together than CleanTechnica is going to defer to them. It would be nice if they’d mention NFPA though…but in general, journalists aren’t always so good at technical standards (don’t get me started about when journalists confuse kW with kWh)
The article in question was CleanTechnica’s How Much Does It Cost To Have A Tesla Powerwall Installed?
The offending content stated:
Most installers will recommend that users buy two to three Powerwalls, and most homeowners will usually install between two and four to keep them running through a typical outage. Buyers can use up to 10 Powerwalls together in one residence. The more Powerwalls you have, the more backup energy you’ll be able to store.
Tesla’s Powerwalls can be ordered with or without the company’s solar panels or solar roof, and they also work with solar equipment from other brands. The Powerwall has a storage capacity of 13.5 kWh, which is larger than most other batteries designed to store solar power. Additionally, purchase comes with a 10-year warranty on Powerwalls, and Tesla guarantees as much as 70 percent capacity by the end of the warranty timeline.
NFPA-855 limits the use of Lithium-ion battery systems to four units that total not more than 80 kWh of storage (with a limit of 20 kWh for each unit). This standard is set to prevent thermal runaway, a phenomenon that can occur when batteries overheat, which can result in explosions or fires. With this in mind, it is concerning to see that Clean Technica published an article stating that a single residence can use up to 10 Tesla Powerwalls, which equals 135 kWh of storage. This is a clear violation of the standards set by the NFPA.
It is important to understand that the NFPA set these standards to ensure the safety of homes and its occupants. By violating these standards, homeowners risk their safety and the safety of their neighbors. So, bloggers have a responsibility to understand the safety regulations before promoting any home energy storage solutions. It is not just about getting clicks; it is about promoting safe and reliable options.
As a blogger, it is crucial to have a responsibility to safeguard the safety and well-being of readers. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all information presented is compliant with the safety regulations set forth by the NFPA. If you are unsure about any safety guidelines, consult with experts before publishing an article. Do not merely rely on the information given by the product manufacturers because they may not have your best interests and safety in mind.
The rise of renewable energy solutions is a boon to homeowners and the environment, but as with any new technology, safety is of utmost importance. The NFPA has established regulations, such as NFPA-855, to ensure home energy storage solutions’ safety. As bloggers, we have a responsibility to ensure that all published articles comply with these regulations. Failure to comply could have dire consequences for homeowners and the surrounding communities. So let us all do our part and make sure that the articles we put out for the world to see are safe and informed.
