The Denver Public Library, in partnership with sustainable construction firm McKinstry and battery developer Viridi, has launched a first-of-its-kind solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) designed with advanced fire safety features, city officials said.
The project, installed at the Michael Graves–designed central library building, represents the City of Denver’s first solar-plus-battery system. The initiative aims to cut costs, increase energy resilience, and address public concerns over lithium-ion battery safety, officials added.
Viridi supplied its RPSLinkEX battery solution, which is equipped with “passive Fail-Safe thermal management and anti-propagation technology” to prevent thermal runaway, the chain reaction that can cause lithium-ion battery fires. “Public facilities like the Denver Public Library are at the forefront of demonstrating that energy resilience and safety can go hand in hand,” said Jon M. Williams, CEO of Viridi. “This installation highlights how fail-safe battery storage can empower communities to maximize renewable energy, reduce costs, and maintain reliability – all without compromise.”
Unlike conventional systems that rely heavily on sprinklers or fire extinguishers, Viridi’s passive safety approach uses built-in protections that limit heat transfer between cells if one begins to overheat. This technology, officials said, enables deployment in occupied buildings and near critical infrastructure while meeting the city’s fire safety standards.
McKinstry oversaw development and construction of the system. “The entire McKinstry team is very excited about developing and constructing the first Solar + BESS project for the City and County of Denver,” said Jon Ensley, senior construction project engineer at McKinstry. “We are appreciative of all our partners and stakeholders who helped to achieve this goal. We value Viridi’s expertise in deploying this technology and the whole team has been great to work with.”
McKinstry said the project “sets a new benchmark for how cities can combine renewable energy and battery storage without compromising safety.” Denver officials noted that the installation is expected to serve as a model for other municipalities seeking to integrate renewable power with next-generation storage solutions.
