How to put out a fire in an energy storage power station

Can a lithium ion battery catch fire?

LIB (lithium-ion battery) failure is a thermal management problem that can lead to a fire. Generally referred to as “thermal runaway.” This can occur in Energy Storage Systems, ESS, often comprised of Lithium-Ion Batteries. One of the main reasons why lithium-ion batteries can catch fire or fail is due to thermal runaway.

How does lithium ion battery fire control work?

As lithium-ion battery fires create their own oxygen during thermal runaway, they are very difficult for fire and rescue services to deal with. Lithium-ion battery fire control is normally only achieved by using copious amounts of water to cool battery cells.

What is a battery energy storage system?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) play a critical role in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy by helping meet the growing demand for reliable, yet decentralized power on a grid-scale.

Can lithium ion batteries be controlled if a fire happens?

Due to lithium-ion batteries generating their own oxygen during thermal runaway, it is worth noting that lithium-ion battery fires or a burning lithium ion battery can be very difficult to control. For this reason, it is worth understanding how lithium-ion fires can be controlled should a fire scenario happen.

How are lithium-ion battery fires controlled and extinguished?

In the case of fires involving large arrays of lithium-ion battery cells, like those used in electric vehicles, lithium-ion battery fires are normally only controlled and extinguished when the fire and rescue service deliver a large amount of water to the burning materials for a significant amount of time.

Can a Li-ion battery cause a fire?

Thermal runaway, a process involving a series of exothermic reactions within a Li-ion battery, can trigger a fire. Thermal runaway can occur when a Li-ion battery overheats due to various factors such as internal short circuits, mechanical damage, external heating, overvoltage during charging, or failure of the battery management system.