LG Chem home battery recall extended to Australia

A voluntary recall involving LG Chem’s popular home battery the RESU10H has been extended to Australia, the battery manufacturer has confirmed, after reports of “thermal events” in the US raised concerns around fire safety.

The South Korea-based company’s North American division issued a recall in the US on November 29, for battery systems containing cells from specific lots produced in 2017 and 2018, according to a notice seen by Bloomberg.

LG Chem said at the time that it had received five reports of thermal events in the US causing “limited property damage,” but no reported injuries, and had undertaken the voluntary recall as part of a commitment to product safety and “highest quality and service” to customers.

Two weeks later, the newly spun-off battery division of the company, rebranded as LG Energy Solution, confirmed to One Step Off The Grid that the voluntary recall was also in effect in Australia, “out of an abundance of caution.”

“LG Energy Solution is voluntarily recalling some of the batteries in residential ESS products, due to isolated reports of potential overheating,” the company said in an emailed statement on Tuesday afternoon.

“LG Energy Solution is working with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and other sector regulators regarding its free replacement program in Australia.”

The recall comes as LG Energy Solution prepares to launch three new home battery energy storage offerings onto the Australian market, including a 16kWh unit, a compact modular unit, and a new-look version of the 10kWh RESU10H, as part of its new Prime line.

LG Energy Solution’s general manager of residential ESS, Phillip Crotty, said last week that the third generation RESU10H was a fresh take on the battery that “basically bears no resemblance at all to the previous model.”

You can read more about the new home batteries here.