The incidence of fires at battery energy storage system (BESS) sites is becoming a significant factor in project development and insurance underwriting, driven by rapid global deployment and high-profile incidents. Individual site failures remain at a statistically low rate, but this specific fire risk issue has been elevated by the severity of consequential events such as thermal runaway and local planning opposition.
In response major renewable energy insurer Aviva has partnered with Accure Battery Intelligence to embed predictive battery analytics into its risk framework. It means that BESS operators that actively monitor safety can now unlock preferential insurance conditions.
The two companies will together run a pilot project with the aim of supporting improved data transparency for battery energy storage system assets. Monitoring would be through Accure’s own platform, which serves as a safety and performance monitoring solution for BESS owners and operators. It is said by Accure to be an independent service. It uses field data and analytics to detect irregular battery behaviour, identify elevated safety risks, and enable early fault detection that supports early corrective action. The platform is used by asset owners and operators to strengthen operational oversight across grid-scale storage sites.
Under the two-year pilot framework, eligible Aviva clients can benefit from preferential ‘onboarding’ fees with Accure. Kai-Philipp Kairies, CEO and co-founder of Accure Battery Intelligence, said: “BESS owners are expected to show that safety risks are actively managed. Accure’s unique predictive analytics create transparency and accountability at the asset level. We are encouraged to see this approach recognised in a way that translates into improved insurance conditions for operators.”
The collaboration reflects a growing focus within the insurance market on data-backed risk management for BESS assets. As deployment accelerates, insurers are placing greater emphasis on preventive measures and documented safety controls.
