Addressing the Risks of Battery Energy Storage Systems
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) play a critical role in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy by helping meet the growing demand for reliable yet decentralized power on a grid-scale. But these systems need to be carefully managed to prevent significant damage and danger due to fire.
If your Energy Storage System contains lithium-ion batteries, you are facing distinct safety concerns that could lead to a serious fire hazard unless you address the risk proactively with holistic, advanced fire detection and prevention methods.
Once a lithium-ion battery overheats in a BESS and the process of “thermal runaway” occurs, it can be nearly impossible to extinguish, potentially causing catastrophic damage and risking the lives of first responders called to put out the fire.
Awareness of the abuse factors listed below can help operators prevent thermal runaway at its earliest stage.
Electrical Abuse
This occurs when a battery exceeds voltage limits during charge or discharge and overheats. The simultaneous operation of these batteries poses the risk that any one of the battery cells could exceed voltage limits during charge or discharge and could cause overheating that triggers a potential fire event.
Thermal Abuse
This is initiated when the operational temperature exceeds the limits of the battery. If caused by overcharging, the extra current triggers a chemical reaction that breaks down the battery’s organic liquid electrolytes and changes them from a liquid to a highly flammable gaseous state.
Mechanical Abuse
This can be caused by physical or mechanical damage to the battery, such as a crush, indentation, or puncture from vibration or shock.
When an abuse factor occurs or continues undetected and unaddressed, more of the liquid electrolyte from the battery will convert to gas, causing an internal buildup of pressure sufficient to vent or rupture the battery seals and resulting in an off-gassing event. Eventually, as more gas is generated, internal pressure and heat continue to increase, rupturing, melting the separator, and releasing smoke. By this point, thermal runaway or fire is imminent and can no longer be stopped. The failure of a single cell can quickly overheat and spread rapidly to surrounding cells, leading to thermal propagation. The earliest possible detection of battery failure is vitally important to mitigate or prevent thermal runaway from starting and to maintain integrity and safety.
Our Holistic Approach to Energy Storage Safety
Everon’s advanced detection technologies and performance-based solutions combined with battery management systems can work together to establish layers of safety and fire prevention. The best protection is prevention before off-gassing takes place by identifying overheating, overcharging, or abuse factors.
We can help you build a robust first line of defense against energy storage system fires with innovative, advanced detection solutions that can provide the earliest possible intelligence about conditions inside your facilities. These early warning systems can be professionally tested, serviced, and maintained to ensure peak performance.
Battery Management Systems
We can help implement battery management systems that monitor voltage, current, and temperature to identify any battery abuse factors. While this is an important, initial layer, it should not be the only layer of protection.
Temperature and Humidity Sensors
Our monitoring systems can measure the temperature of the air surrounding the sensor including ambient room temperature, shock/vibration/AC power quality, and conditions.
Thermal Imaging Devices
Everon’s energy storage experts can help install radiometric thermal imaging devices that continuously monitor the temperature in and around your energy storage systems.
Off-Gas Detection
Off-gas detection technologies can provide an alert in the initial stage of lithium-ion battery failure when venting of electrolyte solvent vapors begins and prior to thermal runaway.
Very Early Warning Smoke Detection
We offer early warning smoke detection systems that use ultra-sensitive sensors to provide early warning of an impending fire event, buying time to initiate an appropriate emergency response to reduce injury, property damage, or business disruption.
WHITE PAPER:
Battery Energy Storage Systems White Paper
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) collect surplus energy from solar and wind power sources and store it in battery banks so electricity can be discharged when needed at a later time. These systems must be carefully managed to prevent significant risk from fire. Lithium-ion batteries at energy storage systems have distinct safety concerns that may present a serious fire hazard unless operators understand and address the risk proactively with holistic, advanced fire detection and prevention methods.
Comprehensive Energy and Utilities Security and Fire Solutions
Everon provides comprehensive intrusion, access control, video surveillance, fire, sprinkler, and life safety solutions to protect traditional and renewable energy facilities—whether large locations or remote sites. Our energy experts understand the intricacies and requirements of this industry and are here to provide the best solution to protect your employees, facilities, and critical infrastructure.
Layered Protection for Energy Storage Systems
When it comes to protecting battery energy storage facilities, multiple layers of defense can be the difference between detecting a problem before it occurs and finding out about a problem when it’s already too late.
Performance-Based System Design
Performance-based designs available through Everon allow for alternative solutions that not only meet prescriptive building codes but also offer benefits for facilities with uncommon construction features that could impair traditional systems.
Advanced Detection
Through active air-sampling smoke detection (ASD), Everon can help detect the earliest signs of fire in the incipient stage. Early warning detection and prevention are critical to identifying potential risks to occupants, key stakeholders, and first responders who may be threatened by carbon monoxide, smoke, heat, and environmental gases.
Flame Detection
Everon can help you set up flame detection systems that use ultraviolet, infrared, combined, or multi-spectrum sensors to detect radiation produced by a flame prior to increased smoke or heat. The system can be connected to automatic fire suppression systems that immediately respond in the presence of flame.