Viridi, a leader in fail-safe battery energy storage systems (BESS), in collaboration with Soteria Battery Innovation Group, hosted a groundbreaking event titled “The No Heat Zone: Battery Storage Redefined” at its 42-acre Renewable Energy Center of Excellence in Buffalo. The event drew first responders, safety officials, and industry leaders from across the country for a firsthand look at revolutionary safety technology for lithium-ion batteries.
The centerpiece of the event was a series of dramatic live battery burn demonstrations, including a critical showcase of Viridi’s proprietary anti-propagation battery architecture. Unlike conventional battery systems, which are vulnerable to dangerous chain-reaction failures, Viridi’s system effectively contained thermal runaway to a single cell—marking a major step forward in energy storage safety.
Proving a Safer Standard
The demonstration featured three key tests:
- Tests 1 & 2 – Conventional Packs: Traditional battery packs were subjected to forced thermal runaway. As expected, the failure spread from cell to cell, escalating into full-module involvement.
- Test 3 – Viridi-Engineered Pack: The same failure was induced in Viridi’s proprietary system, which includes specialized thermal isolation and anti-propagation barriers. The result was complete containment—no flame spread and no secondary reactions.
“Today wasn’t just about showing what’s possible—it was about proving it,” said Jon M. Williams, CEO of Viridi. “These tests show the power of our design in limiting thermal events to a single point of origin. We’re setting a new standard for battery safety that allows clean energy to scale—safely and without compromise. If you want to bring storage into dense, occupied spaces, this is how you do it—without shortcuts.”
Addressing a Growing Risk
The safety demonstration arrives at a critical time. In 2024, New York City alone reported 277 lithium-ion battery-related fires. As battery use expands in homes, businesses, and mobility devices, the need for safer, fire-resistant technologies has never been more urgent.
“Viridi’s technology is a game-changer,” said Brian Morin, CEO of Soteria Battery Innovation Group. “Battery fires are rare, but they are also unpredictable, immediate and ferocious, which carries significant risk. Their technology dramatically reduces the risk profile, giving us a path to much safer energy storage for all the applications that improve our daily lives.”
Real-World Endorsement
FDNY safety experts Lt. John Cassidy and John Orlando addressed the audience, sharing their frontline experience responding to battery fires and stressing the importance of proactive safety innovation.
“When it comes to battery fires, every second counts—and every layer of safety matters,” said Lt. Cassidy. “I’m glad to support the safety and education of first responders by sharing my experience responding to lithium-ion battery incidents in New York City.”
Toward Scalable, Safe Clean Energy
Viridi’s fail-safe systems are already being integrated into high-density urban buildings, commercial facilities, and public infrastructure—locations traditionally deemed too high-risk for battery installations. The technology eliminates the need for external fire suppression systems, HVAC, or structural modifications, streamlining deployment while ensuring compliance and safety.
As awareness grows around the dangers of thermal runaway in energy storage, Viridi’s “No Heat Zone” demonstration highlights a pivotal shift toward prevention-focused design. The event underscored the company’s mission to redefine battery safety and accelerate the transition to clean, scalable, and secure energy storage.
