Batteries made from iron and salt in ceramic tubes pose less fire risk than lithium-ion batteries
Inlyte Energy
A Safer Alternative for Emergency Power: Iron-Salt Batteries
A groundbreaking solution for emergency power generation in high wildfire risk areas has emerged in the form of iron and salt batteries, offering a safer alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
The innovative 200-kilowatt battery system, developed by Inlyte Energy, is set to be installed alongside solar panels at the Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds in Sonoma County, California. Situated just 16 kilometers from the historic Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, known for its majestic redwood trees, the conference site plays a crucial role during extreme weather events and wildfires, serving as a refuge for firefighters and evacuees. However, the site is vulnerable to power outages, putting its operations at risk.
“Our goal was to create a safe, cost-effective energy storage solution, which led us to the use of abundant materials like iron and salt in large cells,” explains Ben Kaun of Inlyte Energy.
Once operational in 2027, the iron-salt battery system is expected to provide up to two weeks of backup power, ensuring continuous operation of the conference grounds and supporting a nearby firefighting water-pump station without posing a fire hazard to the surrounding forest.
Unlike lithium-ion batteries that are prone to thermal runaway and fires, the iron-salt batteries utilize non-flammable materials enclosed in ceramic tubes, allowing for safe deployment in close proximity without the risk of combustion.
In contrast to incidents like the 2025 fire at a major battery storage facility in California, which resulted in the destruction of 300 megawatts of energy storage, the iron-salt batteries offer a more secure energy storage solution. Supported by funding from the US Department of Energy, this project aims to enhance energy resilience in wildfire-prone regions.
According to Dustin Mulvaney of San Jose State University, the use of non-flammable batteries presents a strategic choice for energy projects in remote or fire-prone areas, mitigating the risk of accidental fires caused by conventional battery technologies.
