Three steps to reduce fire risk in battery energy storage systems

Operation of lithium-ion batteries is generally a safe process and failure is unlikely, but they may present a risk of catching fire if damaged and improperly stored or handled. As calls for the development of safer battery energy storage systems grow, Firetrace International has proposed three steps that battery manufacturers, battery energy storage system developers and operators should consider.

Battery fires are a relatively new phenomenon, and some operators or users of energy storage systems have limited experience and do not adopt standards that dictate the best and safest handling methods. This means increased personal risk to emergency responders and firefighters.

High-profile fires in lithium-ion battery energy storage systems have sparked growing concerns about their safety and exposed a lack of understanding of the risks associated with this type of technology. Specifically, battery energy storage system fire incidents have affected people's confidence in the development of the battery energy storage industry, leading to the postponement or even cancellation of battery energy storage projects in some countries and regions around the world.

Firetrace International, a U.S.-based firefighting technology supplier, recently claimed in a research report that “due to concerns about fire risks, public opposition to the deployment and operation of battery energy storage systems is likely to increase significantly, which will threaten the deployment of critical battery energy storage systems, making it difficult to achieve net zero goals.”

More importantly, fire incidents in battery energy storage systems also have an impact on the insurance market. In its report, Firetrance International provided evidence that some insurance companies have even exited the energy storage market as interest in deploying energy storage projects has declined.

The report titled "How to Reduce the Fire Risk of Battery Energy Storage" writes, "This has resulted in increased insurance costs or overruns. Therefore, addressing the fire risk of battery energy storage systems has become a focus for owners, contractors and operators. "

The report looks at the different types of fire hazards faced by energy storage projects and the ways in which the industry is already reducing these risks through planning, designing, building and installing fire protection systems.

Finally, the report highlights three steps that energy storage system manufacturers, energy storage developers and owners need to take to reduce fire risk.

(1) Install a water-based fire extinguisher, which is the most effective measure in cooling battery energy storage system fires (however, it is important to note that water-based fire extinguishers can cool the batteries and help prevent the spread of the fire, but they do so after the battery’s energy dissipates will not extinguish the flame on the battery before).

(2) Use a battery management system to monitor, control and optimize the performance of single or multiple batteries, and support disconnection.

(3) Divide the battery energy storage system into small segments, limit the energy storage capacity to a certain range, and physically isolate it from other segments.

Some of the main causes that can cause lithium-ion battery fires are inherent battery defects, improper installation, physical abuse, or operation of the battery energy storage system outside of specified parameters (such as charge rate, state of charge, or temperature). Once triggered, battery fires are self-sustaining processes that are difficult to extinguish.

Brian Cashon, engineering manager at Firetrace International, said: “Some fire protection companies claim that their fire protection systems can suppress lithium-ion battery fires and prevent thermal runaway. We do not believe that the battery energy storage industry can make such assertions at this time because it has not been publicly disclosed. test data to prove these claims are correct in real-world testing scenarios, and doing so may trigger public scrutiny. Therefore, finding the right solutions is critical."

"With the right planning, design and collaboration, it can be achieved," he noted.

Finally, the report highlights the role of regulatory measures in mitigating battery energy storage system fires and recommends changes to the current framework in the United States.

Firetrace International said that energy storage fire risk regulations in the United States are developed on a state-by-state basis, which has caused great confusion and forced energy storage system operators to modify fire protection systems to comply with the ever-changing regulatory framework.

The report recommends that other states should follow New York and California in complying with the International Fire Code (IFC).