Social construction of fire accidents in battery energy storage systems in Korea

Abstract

Renewable energy (RE) has the potential to become an essential part of the national policy for energy transition. The government of the Republic of Korea has sought to solve the problem of RE intermittency and achieve flexible grid management by leveraging a powerful policy drive for battery energy storage system (B-ESS) technology. However, from 2017 to 2019, over two dozen B-ESS fire accidents occurred across Korea. Consecutive fires in B-ESSs, which were expected to be game-changers in energy transition, have instead become an issue of social concern. This study aims to analyze the influence of various social factors on fire accidents, for which previous studies could not provide sufficient explanation. A literature analysis and qualitative interviews revealed the social construction process of B-ESS fires through stakeholder interaction. The economic incentive schemes of B-ESS and insufficient safety regulations has had a significant influence on the interactions of relevant social groups (RSGs), and several factors in the environment, organizations, and cognition/choice of RSGs have exacerbated fire risks. This research provides a clearer understanding of the adverse outcomes of adopting new energy technologies.