Castrie Family Energy Storage Box Fire Protection Design

Are battery energy storage systems a fire hazard mitigation strategy?

The challenges of providing effective fire and explosion hazard mitigation strategies for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are receiving appreciable attention, given that renewable energy production has evolved significantly in recent years and is projected to account for 80% of new power generation capacity in 2030 (WEO, 2023).

Are energy storage systems safe?

Energy storage systems, while essential for grid stability and renewable energy integration, present unique challenges when it comes to fire safety. Issues like thermal runaway, short circuits, and the flammability of certain materials can result in fires that are difficult to manage due to the stored energy within the system.

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 can Bess cabinets be used to reduce fire hazard?

Separation distances provided between BESS cabinets can also be used as a passive mitigation technique to reduce the thermal exposure from a fire event and limit container-to-container propagation, as proven by FM Global large-scale fire test (Ditch & Zeng, 2020). Typical fire hazard mitigation techniques are shown in Figure 5. Figure 5.