BESS is an abbreviation for ‘battery energy storage system’. This is a large cluster of battery cells wired together to aggregate their power. Almost inevitably, these battery cells use lithium metal as their active material, which is a flammable substance. We report on two BESS systems that mitigate thermal runaway.
How Thermal Runaway Threatens BESS Systems
BESS systems are facing a thermal runaway challenge. Now this is a situation where a battery fire starts, and spreads rapidly through adjoining cells like a forest fire. An event like this can release toxic fumes throughout a community, and rob a grid of critical peaking power.
Moreover, we cannot speak of meaningful renewable energy without the ability to store it for future use. Battery energy storage systems are by far our best option among the technologies available to us. We therefore have a pressing need to control thermal runaway now!
Two Novel Approaches to Curtail BESS Thermal Runaway
Deflect the Heat Upwards From the Container
Battery energy storage systems do not stack their containers housing their batteries. Each container stands apart spaced away from the others. Chinese company Sungrow has panels on the tops of their BESS containers that open automatically. These sends the heat upwards, not sideways to adjacent containers.
Let BESS System Fires Burn Out in Ventilated Containers
Australian company Wärtsilä also believes in allowing thermal runaway to continue under controlled conditions. A real-time test sparked a fire in a ventilated BESS container. This burned for eight hours without the doors failing, or the fire spreading to adjacent containers.
Energy Storage News reminds us that thermal runaway occurs only very occasionally, and is mostly halted by battery management systems. It is comforting to know that these systems are becoming even safer, and can take their rightful place in the renewable energy solution.
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