When you think of the auto industry, you think of Detroit. Here in upstate New York, we’re building the next version of that for batteries and energy storage systems — and safety is the foundation we’re building on.
The New Energy New York coalition prioritizes safety and reliability, on top of reshoring battery innovation and manufacturing in the U.S. For example, NENY’s Battery Week event hosts the annual Battery Safety Symposium, which brings together firefighters, engineers, the MTA, and first responders to share best practices in battery-related emergencies. Beyond the hub in Binghamton University, upstate N.Y. at large is a full ecosystem of resources, including NYSERDA’s Energy Storage Guidebook for local governments, NY-BEST’s BESS Safety Resource Library, and free first-responder training through the NYS Department of Homeland Security.
Moreover, N.Y. has the highest safety standards in the country. The state adopted updated battery energy storage safety codes in July 2025, which are among the most rigorous internationally. Every large-scale system goes through independent peer review before it’s approved.
Helpful Tips
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Batteries power our phones, our hospitals, our buses, and increasingly, our homes and businesses. Even for devices we are regularly using and recharging, like our phones, watches and laptops, it is important to keep an eye on the battery for any changes in shape, odors or leaks. Special drop-off sites are dedicated specifically to recycling lithium-ion batteries as well.
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While e-bike battery fires tend to make headlines, battery energy storage systems, or BESS, are a different category entirely. Large-scale BESS installations require UL certification, independent inspections and emergency response plans. In fact, N.Y. has an Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group that provides a peer-review process during the permitting and siting of large-scale energy storage projects.
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Often, battery fires, particularly in e-bikes, occur due to off-product markets that don’t meet safety or certification standards. It is important that consumers exercise their due diligence in ensuring they do not purchase batteries that have not met UL standards, and that any batteries they have bought are compatible with the device according to its manufacturer.
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For the public, safety training is free and available now, through NENY’s free, online courses under Battery Academy, including “Battery Basics & Safety.” The Office of Fire Prevention and Control also provides lithium-ion safety training for all first responders through DHS. School districts, fire stations, and transit agencies can access this today.
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N.Y. state’s 2025 fire code, which went into effect at the beginning of 2026, aligns with and even exceeds the national standard for battery energy storage safety, or NFPA 855. This new code ensures, for example, that battery management system data is monitored 24/7 and communicates any critical failures immediately. It is codes and practices like this that ensure battery fires in N.Y. state are preventable, addressing problems before they can start.
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Safety is also baked into the process of making batteries, not just their end uses. N.Y.’s battery coalitions, from NENY to the NSF Energy Storage Engine to the U.S. Tech Hub, are supporting startup companies dedicated to creating batteries with more sustainable chemistries, while Battery-NY, located in Johnson City, N.Y. will act as the nation’s first-of-its-kind battery prototyping facility. As companies of all sizes get the opportunity to upscale their products at the facility, Battery-NY cells will also include digital passports that detail the production process and real-time areas that require improvement.
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N.Y.’s leadership in batteries and energy storage is an economic development and public safety movement. Partners from industry, government, community and academia are committed to deploying 6 gigawatts of energy storage in the state by 2030 — saving New Yorkers nearly $2 billion in grid costs.
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Having safer batteries and energy storage systems is key to growth and deploying clean energy across the state. This enables N.Y. to build a more resilient grid that will deliver energy to consumers when they need it, while also moving away from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy. A flexible and strong grid means that events like extreme weather or high demand won’t take away power from customers.