A city agency is now standing between a private company and its plan to build a colossal lithium-ion power bank atop a Brooklyn building. If approved, the project would mark the first time such a substation would be allowed to be built on the roof of a residential building anywhere in the boroughs, the United States and possibly the world.
But that doesn’t mean the building’s residents are happy about it.
MicroGrid Networks, the for-profit company behind the plan, says viable sites for battery storage — heralded as the future of green energy — are extremely limited, and building on top of New Yorkers’ homes is necessary if the city is to meet its climate goals. The tenants of the Williamsburg apartment property atop which the hefty 18-battery bank is set atop say they fear for their own safety because of the lithium-ion explosion risk, as well as the building’s — especially if the structure can actually carry several tons above them.
Since 2020, MicroGrid has been working to add 2.5 megawatts of energy storage atop 315 Berry St., a seven-story loft building three blocks from Domino Park and the East River. Similar battery banks — which charge at night and then sell energy to ConEd during heat waves and other times of high grid use — are currently installed on the roofs of the Barclays Center and JFK Airport’s TWA Hotel, as well as behind a mall and housing project in East New York. They are essential to meet the Poles’ renewable energy goals for New York City and to relieve aging infrastructure, but in a city notoriously tight on real estate, private companies are struggling to find landlords willing to host their batteries . And rooftops are currently completely banned – for now.
For two years, the residents of 315 Berry St. have fought tooth and nail not to become the first apartment building to feature cutting-edge technology on the roof. However, they feel they are losing, and suspect they will soon become a “guinea pig”, setting a precedent that will open the floodgates for similar batteries to be built on other rooftops.
“It’s more scary than frustrating — the prospect of living with 400,000 pounds of batteries overhead that could catch fire or explode at any moment,” Olivia Silver, 25, who has lived at 315 Berry her entire life, told The Post. (MicroGrid estimated that the equipment will weigh closer to 300,000 pounds.)
“I’m scared for me and my home and my building and also I’m scared for the city,” said Paige Stevenson, who moved into the building in 1989. “I feel like our tenant group is the last line of defense against this. really scary new precedent for incorporating these into residential areas. The technology is not safe,” Stevenson argued.
The tenant group has discussed hiring a structural engineer or a lawyer to help them fight the situation, but lacks the funds or resources. They’re surprised the FDNY signed up, given the rash of recent e-bike and Tesla battery fires, when MicroGrid’s lithium-ion phosphate batteries are equal, an order of magnitude larger. (The company wrote in a presentation that “these batteries, unlike other lithium batteries, do not catch fire,” but other lithium ion phosphate batteries have been involved in at least one recent fatal explosion.) Residents of the building also note that their 49 unit , a building from the beginning of the 20th century is not fit to bear more weight on the roof, as it is covered in cracks, floods frequently, has over 25 open fractures and a partial eviction order from when part of the facade fell into the now- enclosed communal garden below.
In response to The Post’s request for comment, an FDNY representative explained that their approval of MicroGrid’s rooftop installation plan followed a full review, was contingent on certain safeguards and was based in part on the lack of ground-level battery installation locations.
“It is the department’s understanding that this large installation will provide energy to the utility grid and that it has been placed on a building roof due to the lack of available ground locations in the community,” the FDNY told The Post.
The building’s landlord, Richard Herbst, told The Post that when MicroGrid first presented the plan to him, it was a no-brainer to say yes. He noted that “although lithium-ion batteries have been in the news lately for causing fires,” his understanding is that MicroGrid’s batteries are different and “much safer.”
Tim Dumbleton, chief executive of MicroGrid – which has a pipeline of storage installation projects underway, albeit not on residential rooftops – stressed that the “technical and safety issues of the project have been looked at extensively by many agencies,” and disagreed with the tenants’ claims of the company and its batteries. “I think it’s going to be very difficult for this city to meet its mandates without residential installations,” he told The Post, adding “Without [enough] energy storage, you would have to roll back the city’s electrification program, the plan for offshore wind. , and upstate solar won’t work either. The city will be stuck with old gas and oil [infrastructure] for the foreseeable future.”
“This is something that has a very clear way of being permitted in New York City, and the [Department of Buildings] and the fire department have reviewed the installation and concluded that it is safe,” said Rebecca Bar, MicroGrid’s director of project management.
The Standards and Complaints Board is scheduled to assess the case at the beginning of January. There will be an opportunity for public comment before they decide whether New York City’s electric future will be powered from rooftops or elsewhere.
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Are lithium batteries hazardous USPS?
In addition, the Postal Service will now require that pre-owned, damaged or defective electronic devices that contain or are packaged with lithium batteries be shipped via surface transportation only and carry specified markings. This rule comes into effect on June 6, 2022.
Can I ship lithium batteries via USPS? #1: Yes, you can ship lithium batteries via USPS. There are currently six types of lithium batteries eligible for shipment, in varying domestic or international quantities, via USPS: Lithium-ion (rechargeable) battery, UN3480. Lithium metal battery, UN3090.
Are lithium batteries considered dangerous for shipping? Lithium batteries are regulated as a hazardous material under the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 C.F.R., Parts 171-180). The HMR applies to any material that the DOT determines may pose an unreasonable risk to health, safety and property when transported in commerce.
Can post office detect lithium batteries?
“To ensure adequate visibility, the Postal Service will require packages containing pre-owned, damaged and defective electronic devices that contain or are packaged with lithium batteries to be marked with “Restricted Electronic Device” and “Surface Transport Only” — in addition to any other relevant markings.â€
Why does the post office ask if you have lithium batteries? Batteries are a hazard in shipping. Lithium batteries may be the worst concern, but any battery can be a fire starter and should NOT be sent in the mail. Chances are nothing will happen, but it could, and the USPS tries to protect its facilities and employees from that possibility.
What happens if you mail a lithium battery? Lithium batteries are dangerous goods, and all official requirements must be complied with, as stated in the regulations on the shipment of lithium batteries. In the United States, failure to comply with these regulations can result in a civil penalty of up to $27,000 per offense (LBSR 1.3).
Can I send lithium batteries in the post UK?
You cannot ship lithium batteries on your own via domestic or international mail. You can send lithium batteries in the UK or international post only when they are contained in a unit (except in their Business Response, Freepost, Packetpost and Packetsort services).
What couriers take lithium batteries in the UK? Learn how to ship lithium batteries safely and securely. FedEx takes the transportation of your shipment containing lithium batteries very seriously and complies with International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations for transporting such items as a carrier.
What class of HazMat is a lithium battery?
Lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries are listed as Class 9 Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials in the U.S. and International Hazardous Materials (Dangerous Goods) Regulations and are subject to specific packaging, labeling, labeling, and shipping paper requirements.
Is a lithium battery fire class D? Class D extinguishers are effective against lithium metal battery fires. Lithium-ion battery fires are Class B fires, indicating the presence of flammable liquids, so a standard dry chemical or ABC extinguisher can extinguish them.
What hazard class is UN3481?
Is UN3481 Class 9? UN3480, UN3481, UN3090 and UN3091 classifications Lithium batteries are now effectively classified as Class 9 material – called “miscellaneous dangerous goods”. The specific UN regulations covering the shipment of these batteries are as follows: UN 3090, Lithium metal batteries (shipped by themselves)
What happens if you accidentally ship something with lithium batteries?
The penalties for failing to package or properly offer a lithium battery for transportation can include fines of up to $55,000 per package per day. This is for unintentional violations of the rules where there is no intention to “intentionally” violate the requirements.
What happens if you check a bag with a lithium battery? Such a danger, in fact, that the FAA has issued a new warning about the dangers such batteries can pose to aircraft, and they can on board, essentially calling for their ban. Lithium batteries pose a risk of both igniting and burning fires in aircraft cargo/baggage compartments.
Can the USPS detect lithium batteries? “To ensure adequate visibility, the Postal Service will require packages containing pre-owned, damaged and defective electronic devices that contain or are packaged with lithium batteries to be marked with “Restricted Electronic Device” and “Surface Transport Only” — in addition to any other relevant markings.â€
Can I send an item with a lithium battery? In the event that the package cannot be shipped directly from the retailer, you can ship most lithium batteries and consumer electronic devices containing lithium batteries – including power banks, laptops, tablets and mobile phones – safely and easily if certain precautions are taken. taken.
What size lithium batteries are not allowed on airplanes?
Lithium battery size limits: Passengers are allowed to travel with lithium ion batteries containing a maximum of 160 watt hours per battery. Any lithium-ion battery containing more than 160 watt-hours is prohibited from carriage on all passenger aircraft.
Can I bring lithium batteries on a flight in 2022? Spare batteries (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and battery chargers for mobile phones, must be carried in hand luggage only. Lithium metal batteries (non-rechargeable) are limited to 2 grams of lithium per battery.
Can you take lithium batteries through TSA? Batteries allowed in hand luggage: Lithium-ion batteries (a.k.a.: rechargeable lithium, lithium polymer, LIPO, secondary lithium). Consumer-size lithium-ion batteries [not more than 8 grams equivalent lithium content or 100 watt-hours (wh) per battery].
Which lithium batteries are not allowed on planes? Spare (uninstalled) lithium metal and lithium ion batteries, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are prohibited in checked baggage. They must be carried with the passenger in hand luggage.
Can you bring something with a lithium battery on a plane?
Spare batteries (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and battery chargers for mobile phones, must be carried in hand luggage only. With the airline’s approval, passengers can also carry up to two extra larger lithium-ion batteries (101â160 Wh) or lithium metal batteries (2-8 grams).
Can I bring lithium batteries on a flight in 2022? Number restrictions: None for most batteries – but batteries must be for use by the passenger. Batteries transported for further sale or distribution (supplier samples, etc.) are prohibited. There is a limit of two spare batteries per person for the larger lithium ion batteries described above (101â160 watt hours per battery).
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