What Are The Safety Considerations For Selecting And Installing A Battery Energy Storage System?

In recent years, the occurrence of battery energy storage system fires and even explosions has become major news in the industry. Therefore, safety issues once again become a key factor in choosing a battery energy storage system. The following is a list of safety precautions for selecting and installing battery energy storage systems for your reference and learning.

1. Choose the right battery

When it comes to safety, a distinction needs to be made between primary safety (what can be done to prevent an accident) and secondary safety (how to better control and manage hazards after an accident). And basic safety is directly related to the battery itself.

There are different types of batteries today, each with pros and cons. But the most important thing to consider is whether the battery meets the IEC62619 standard.

2. Ensure safe integration of battery modules, racks, and containers

For modules and racks: Make sure the battery meets UL1973 and IEC62619 standards.

Choosing a battery certified to the UL9540A standard means it has been tested, simulating a thermal runaway event to check that fire won't spread.

3. Invest in the right battery management system and energy management software

Using a safe and compliant battery is a mandatory first step in ensuring the highest level of safety; however, how the battery is used is also critical. This is why the battery management system (BMS) should ensure that the battery does not run beyond its limits. To provide this safety function, the battery management system (BMS) must be certified to the IEC61508 standard, which is a functional safety standard for electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems.

Battery management systems (BMS) generate massive amounts of data, which are read by energy management software (EMS), saved locally and regularly backed up to a secure cloud computing system. All of this data can be used for analytical purposes to detect possible battery misbehavior or deviation at an early stage and optimize system operation.

4. Separation for better control of fire events

Users need to install the batteries of the battery energy storage system in a battery cabinet with a solid outer casing and isolate them from each other, which helps prevent the fire event from spreading to other battery cabinets.

Deploying batteries in isolated battery cabinets help control potential fires. The battery cabinet enclosure is highly fire-resistant and can provide the thermal insulation needed to minimize auxiliary energy consumption to keep the battery at a specific temperature (usually 20℃ to 23℃) independent of the outside temperature.

5. Choose the right fire detection and firefighting system

Dividing battery cabinets offer a passive way to increase safety, but there are also some active ways to fight fires. The goal of the fire suppression system is to prevent the fire of a catching battery from spreading to other batteries, possibly preventing a small incident involving a few batteries from turning into a massive fire that could burn out the battery storage system, or worse, the entire site. The standard fire detection and fire protection system consists of smoke and heat detection sensors integrated into the aerosol fire suppression system with automatic activation.

6. Use deflagration panels to ensure employee safety

The personal safety of personnel is the key. Even when the site is safe, maintenance personnel work nearby for maintenance and routine system checks. In the event of a fire or explosion, they may be disposed of near the battery storage system. In order to protect the personal safety of employees, the deflagration plate can guide the generated explosive force upwards. It can be ensured that the personnel working in the area are protected from a side blast.

7. Implement the "emergency stop" function

If an energy management system (EMS), battery management system (BMS), or any other safety device detects a safety issue or battery anomaly, the battery energy storage system must shut down immediately or in a controlled manner. It is also important to have a manual "emergency stop" function that can be performed by an operator or emergency responder.

8. Detect electrical isolation faults

Most batteries are electrically isolated from the ground. Advanced insulation monitoring equipment according to IEC615557 must ensure that the insulation does not degrade or short-circuit to the ground.

9. Ensure that battery energy storage systems comply with key safety standards such as IEC and UL

In the U.S., battery energy storage systems are required to comply with NFPA 855 to mitigate potential hazards. According to the IEC standard, the battery energy storage system must be designed according to the requirements of IEC62933 Part 2 "Safety of grid-integrated energy enhancement systems".

10. Make sure the battery storage system has a disconnect switch

To ensure safety, battery energy storage systems must be equipped with all necessary electrical disconnects, such as load break switches, to ensure safe isolation for maintenance operations.

11. Ensure the system meets electrical safety standards

Check compliance with all relevant IEC and UL electrical safety installation standards, especially those protecting installations against short circuits between polarities, through an advanced fusing system.

12. Safe transportation of battery energy storage systems

Battery energy storage systems must be transported by air, sea, rail, or road in accordance with UN38.3 standards.

The lithium battery energy storage systems designed and manufactured by RENON meet the above safety standards and can ensure the safety of use during transmission and use. And we are always committed to providing you with safe, lightweight, and long-lasting green energy products.

As a professional manufacturer of lithium battery products, RENON has a number of patents and independently developed technologies and is in a leading position in the industry. We are equipped with a professional quality inspection system that can control the quality of our products in an all-around way. At the same time, we will formulate effective solutions according to the actual needs of users. If you are interested in our products, please contact us immediately!

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