How to Build a Safety Line for Energy Storage?
As the global installed capacity of energy storage exceeds 200GW, the risk of lithium battery thermal runaway has become the "Sword of Damocles" hanging over the industry. The extreme contradiction between its concealment (internal gas generation/micro temperature rise) and explosiveness (combustion and explosion/reignition) makes the 30-minute early warning the core breakthrough for building a safety defense line. Establishing a set of efficient and reliable fire early warning and extinguishing systems has become the "lifeline" and "last line of defense" to ensure the safe and stable operation of energy storage facilities. This article will analyze how to design in accordance with the unique laws of lithium battery thermal runaway and build a solid safety barrier.
1. Source of Risk: Evolution Process of Lithium Battery Thermal Runaway
Understanding thermal runaway is the prerequisite for constructing effective protection. When a lithium-ion battery undergoes thermal runaway, it will experience a series of complex reactions, which can usually be divided into three key stages, with each stage presenting different internal reaction states and externally observable phenomena.
Based on the above thermal runaway characteristics, in the laboratory, impedance measuring devices, thermocouples, distributed temperature sensing (DTS) optical fibers, strain gauges, gas sensors, pressure transmitters, as well as sound, image and thermal imaging acquisition equipment are used to sample and analyze multiple physical parameters throughout the battery thermal runaway process. Based on the statistical analysis of large datasets, data regression prediction models and early warning prototypes with different characteristics have been developed.
2. Risk Perception: Capturing Early Signals of Thermal Runaway
An in-depth understanding of the three-stage evolution characteristics of lithium-ion battery thermal runaway (gas generation, temperature rise, ignition/explosion) is the key to developing an effective early warning system. Different detection technologies vary significantly in response speed, sensitivity, anti-interference ability, applicable scenarios and reliability according to their principles. The following table systematically compares the application characteristics of several core technologies in battery thermal runaway monitoring.
In response to the abnormal physical quantity changes dominated in different stages (such as characteristic gas release, sudden temperature rise, smoke generation, flame appearance, internal pressure and deformation), a variety of high-sensitivity detection technologies have emerged as the times require. On this basis, the integrated application of technologies wins a crucial time window for the early identification, accurate early warning and timely intervention of thermal runaway.
3. Risk Response: Selection and Efficacy of Fire Extinguishing Agents
When thermal runaway signals or fires are detected, rapid and effective fire-fighting intervention is crucial. For lithium battery energy storage power stations, ideal fire extinguishing agents need to meet multiple stringent requirements. While satisfying fire extinguishing performance, safety and environmental protection, they also need to take into account the cooling demand and thermal suppression of battery thermal runaway as well as the economic applicability of energy storage products. The performance comparison of currently available fire extinguishing agents is as follows.
Restricted by the multiple performance requirements of fire extinguishing agents and changes in the energy storage market, perfluorohexanone fire extinguishing agent is currently the mainstream choice, which can achieve cooling and prevent spread while suppressing fire.
4. System Integration: Multi-dimensional Design Strategy for Energy Storage Fire Protection
Faced with the complexity of lithium battery thermal runaway and the diversity of energy storage application scenarios, a single detection or fire-fighting method is difficult to cope with. Large-scale energy storage fire protection systems need to comprehensively consider multiple factors such as economy, accuracy, reliability, environmental adaptability, service life and installation form. Therefore, the multi-dimensional composite design concept of Singularity Energy has become an inevitable choice.
Multi-level Composite Detection
Multi-level monitoring inside the PACK and the cabin can accurately capture the initial signals of battery thermal runaway and risks such as electrical fires in the cabin.
Multi-level monitoring inside the PACK and the cabin can accurately capture the initial signals of battery thermal runaway and risks such as electrical fires in the cabin.
Hierarchical Linkage Fire Extinguishing
Multi-level and multi-medium coordinated fire extinguishing: According to specific scenarios and risk levels, flexibly select and configure various fire extinguishing media such as perfluorohexanone, water spray and aerosol to form mutual complementarity.
Multi-level and multi-medium coordinated fire extinguishing: According to specific scenarios and risk levels, flexibly select and configure various fire extinguishing media such as perfluorohexanone, water spray and aerosol to form mutual complementarity.
Ontology Fire Prevention Design
The system design adopts a fire prevention architecture of "passive protection + active suppression", and realizes system-level safety protection through the following core measures:
The system design adopts a fire prevention architecture of "passive protection + active suppression", and realizes system-level safety protection through the following core measures:
The cabinet body is made of fireproof plates to meet fire resistance certification requirements.
Each battery compartment is equipped with an explosion vent device on the top to ensure that thermal runaway gas is directionally released outdoors.
Explosion-proof exhaust system to prevent the accumulation of flammable gas.
Each energy block unit forms an independent fire compartment, and fire partitions and flame-retardant cable sleeves are used between units to physically isolate the fire spread path.
Conclusion: Resonance of Technical Precision and Life Safety Responsibility
Each battery compartment is equipped with an explosion vent device on the top to ensure that thermal runaway gas is directionally released outdoors.
Explosion-proof exhaust system to prevent the accumulation of flammable gas.
Each energy block unit forms an independent fire compartment, and fire partitions and flame-retardant cable sleeves are used between units to physically isolate the fire spread path.
Conclusion: Resonance of Technical Precision and Life Safety Responsibility
Choosing a reliable fire protection solution is a solemn commitment to the light and safety of thousands of families; building an intelligent early warning and hierarchical protection system is to lay a life defense line for the booming green energy; continuously exploring new fire extinguishing media and detection technologies is to fulfill the due responsibility of safeguarding the safety of the era's energy transition with the power of technological innovation.