Hithium Sets New Safety Benchmark with World’s First Open-Door Large-Scale Energy Storage Fire Test
In a remarkable advancement for energy storage safety, Hithium has unveiled the results of its groundbreaking all open-door large-scale fire test for the ∞Block 5MWh energy storage system. This announcement was made on June 11, 2025, during the 18th SNEC event, where Hithium hosted a product safety technology sharing session themed “Leading the Future, Forged for Safety.” The company also received large-scale fire test certification from the reputable international testing authority UL Solutions, highlighting the rigorous validation of its system’s safety.
The fire test was unique due to its “all open-door” configuration, a deliberate choice to replicate the most extreme conditions possible. It started by intentionally heating eight battery cells within container A to trigger thermal runaway, resulting in cell-to-cell propagation. As the battery’s pressure relief vents opened, an ignition system ignited the released gases, enabling full combustion with the container doors wide open. This critical setup ensured a continuous flow of oxygen, maximizing heat exposure to the adjacent containers B, C, and D.
The test was conducted under four extreme conditions: all open-door combustion, dual 15 cm extreme spacing between containers, a completely deactivated fire suppression system, and a 100% State of Charge (SOC) for all batteries. At the peak fire phase, observed during the fourth hour of testing, the fire reached an astonishing temperature of 1,372°C. Remarkably, continuous temperature monitoring confirmed that the cell temperatures in all adjacent containers remained significantly below the thermal runaway initiation threshold defined by the UL9540A cell-level test. Specifically, temperatures were recorded at ≤42°C in Container B, ≤80°C in Container C, and ≤70°C in Container D, demonstrating exceptional thermal containment.
The sustained combustion phase saw the open flame extinguished after an impressive 15 hours. Notably, the initiating container maintained its structural integrity without any deformation or collapse. Most importantly, there was no combustion or thermal runaway propagation in the three adjacent containers (B, C, and D). These containers experienced only minor surface damage, with their internal battery modules remaining completely unaffected, showcasing Hithium’s advanced safety design.
This unprecedented success in testing can be attributed to Hithium’s sophisticated multi-layered safety architecture, meticulously designed across the cell, module, and system levels. At the cell level, the use of heat-resistant anode/cathode materials, functional electrolyte additives, and high-temperature separators significantly increased thermal thresholds. At the module level, the integration of low-conductivity insulation and flame-retardant top covers effectively minimized the risk of propagation between cells and modules.
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