Energy storage and renewables

Assistant Director Resilience - ID No. 14

Area of focus

How we use energy in our homes and vehicles is changing, moving from fossil fuel to renewable energy. As this happens the way energy is produced will change. We will see new infrastructure that will present new hazards and challenges. If things go wrong, we will need to know how to adapt our approach to respond effectively.

Addresses

Risk 50: Energy storage and renewables

Strategic priority

Redesign our approach and implement plans for response to new and evolving commercial energy infrastructure. The plan will include our response to proposed and new sites that may provide additional risks.  

What we currently do to reduce the impact
  • Work with local planning authorities to ensure that fire service requirements are considered when energy storage sites are constructed.
  • Liaise closely with the National Fire Chiefs Council to better understand the risks and responses required at these sites.
  • Ensure that our colleagues are provided with the latest risk information.
How we respond to the impact
  • Ensure that our plans balance the need to save infrastructure against risks to local communities and the environment.
  • Communicate with the public through warning and informing messages to reduce the impact of smoke plumes.
  • We send specially trained hazardous materials officers to liaise with site operators and give specialist advice on the best response.
  • Make use of strong global networks we have built in this area to be able to obtain timely specialist advice and guidance.
New actions to deliver the strategic priority
  • Develop and implement technical and industry analysis, focussing on new, emerging, and innovative commercial developments and align with national government policy.
  • Review if firefighters are equipped with the necessary knowledge and equipment to respond to emergencies involving modern energy infrastructure.
  • Ensure fire control colleagues understand the risks associated, gather risk critical information, and can give customers key safety advice.
  • Establish recovery arrangements and any impacts that may result in challenges to safe hand over of premises to responsible people. 
  • Work with building regulators, energy companies and safety organisations to ensure safety standards are enforced.
  • Review Risk Based Inspection Programme considering new energy infrastructure projects in the area, such as solar farms, wind turbines, bioenergy plants and hydrogen production facilities.
  • Review and update Site Specific Risk Information (SSRI) at relevant premises and sites.
  • Review incidents involving new energy infrastructure, noting any emerging trends and risks.
Performance indicators
  • 100% of building consultations for new energy infrastructure facilities completed within 15 working days.

Colleague Preparedness

  • Building consultations for new energy infrastructure facilities completed within acceptable timeframes.
  • Risk information accurate and complete for energy infrastructure sites.
  • Exercises taken place at high-risk energy infrastructure sites.
  • Completion of relevant training packages.
Interdependencies

Fire Control Programme 

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