What is battery energy storage fire prevention & mitigation?

In 2019, EPRI began the Battery Energy Storage Fire Prevention and Mitigation – Phase I research project, convened a group of experts, and conducted a series of energy storage site surveys and industry workshops to identify critical research and development (R&D) needs regarding battery safety.

How many MWh of battery energy were involved in the fires?

In total, more than 180 MWh were involved in the fires. For context, Wood Mackenzie, which conducts power and renewable energy research, estimates 17.9 GWh of cumulative battery energy storage capacity was operating globally in that same period, implying that nearly 1 out of every 100 MWh had failed in this way.1

Does lithium-ion battery involvement affect fire growth rate?

The impact of lithium-ion battery involvement on fire growth rate suggests that when firefighters respond to these incidents, they should consider: Rapid fire growth. Explosion hazards. The potential for unburned battery gas in a ventilation-limited fire to increase the flammability of smoke, which can increase risk of backdraft.

How can thermal runaway cells reduce flammable gas?

Such cells would have higher thermal runaway on-set temperatures, release lower amounts of heat in thermal runaway, and release smaller amounts of less toxic, less flammable gas during such an event. Reaching this goal could remove much of the barrier complexity throughout the system.