"A bank of batteries big enough to propel big ships. ...... That risk could be minimized by installing multiple small banks separated in space, rather that a few larger banks.

The first Vistra "world's largest BESS" plan would have had the battery banks inside of 3 buildings, each building the size of a large Costco building. I suppose the risk of a huge thermal runaway event is the impetus for plan B.

The alternative design would contain the batteries in 174 separate enclosures The enclosures would open to the outside, be spaced at least 10 feet apart and be separated by fire-resistant walls.

Both plans are at risk of flooding as sea levels rise and storms intensify; 100 yards from the beach protected by a frikking sand berm.

Since the power stored primarily goes to the Central Valley, there's no reason it can't be built in an isolated location, safely away from homes and schools. All it needs is a substation along the transmission lines.

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