1. Compliance with Codes and Standards
Battery energy storage systems must comply with electrical and fire codes adopted at the state and local level. Certification, fire safety test results, hazard mitigation plans, and emergency response documentation must be submitted to local authorities for approval. The NFPA 855 standard, for example, mandates incorporation of appropriate safety features to contain fires or thermal events effectively.
2. Fire Containment over Suppression
Modern best practices focus more on containing fires rather than extinguishing them immediately. Containment helps prevent explosions—a hazard highlighted by the McMicken, Arizona incident—which can be more dangerous than fire itself. Containment slows the burn of the affected unit in a controlled way, protecting nearby equipment and structures and minimizing risks such as reignition and contaminated firefighting runoff.
3. Thermal Runaway Prevention and Detection
To prevent thermal runaway—a dangerous, uncontrolled increase in temperature—battery systems use:
- Technologies like current interrupt devices (CIDs), ceramic-coated separators, and solid polymer electrolytes to prevent overheating at the cell level.
- Specialized HVAC systems and continuous monitoring of temperature, current, and voltage at the system level.
- Protection against external heat sources such as high ambient temperatures or wildfires.
- Failsafe mechanisms that provide a forced shutdown if other countermeasures fail.
Additionally, the UL 9540 certification ensures systems have integrated detection, suppression, and/or containment for thermal runaway events.
4. Physical and Site Design Measures
Safety also involves proper siting and design considerations such as:
- Maintaining adequate spacing between battery enclosures to limit the scope of an incident.
- Undergrounding utility lines, controlling vegetation to reduce fire risk, and adhering to noise, height, and setback requirements to protect both the system and the local community.
5. Advanced Certified Equipment and Collaboration with Fire Services
ESS uses state-of-the-art, certified battery technologies rigorously tested to meet safety standards. Collaboration with fire departments and protection experts is critical, ensuring preparedness and tailored emergency response plans for each facility.
In summary, energy storage systems incorporate multiple layers of safety measures—from advanced battery cell technology and continuous monitoring to fire containment design and regulatory compliance—to effectively mitigate battery failures and ensure community and responder safety.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/are-there-specific-safety-measures-implemented-in-energy-storage-systems-to-mitigate-battery-failures/
