Biyat advocates a 'Phased Fire Risk Assessment' approach for BESS
Designing out fire risks in large Battery Energy Storage Systems (#BESS) deployments involves several key fundamentals, building on the systematic approaches such as those laid out in the UK's 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 (𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲) 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 2005 and 𝐃𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 2002.
Biyat Energy & Environment Ltd advocates a '𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡' covering the design, installation and operational (in-situ) project stages - thereby ensuring the safety of employees, business continuity and asset protection throughout the lifetime of the facility.
We recommend the use of *𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭*, world-leading fire and explosion safety and risk management consultants such as Gexcon to conduct such assessments, collaborating directly with client delivery teams.
➊ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠: Ensure adequate ventilation and cooling systems to prevent overheating, which can lead to thermal runaway and fires.
➋ 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬: Use fire-resistant materials for construction and insulation to contain and slow the spread of fires.
➌ 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 (𝐁𝐌𝐒): Implement advanced BMS to monitor and control battery conditions, detect faults, and initiate preventative measures.
➍ 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬: Install early fire detection systems and automatic fire suppression systems, to quickly respond to any incidents.
➎ 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Maintain proper spacing between battery units and segregate different battery types to prevent the spread of fire from one unit to another.
➏ 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Conduct regular maintenance and inspections to identify and address potential fire hazards, ensuring all safety systems are functioning correctly.
➐ 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬: Adhere to relevant safety standards and guidelines, such as NFPA 855, UL 9540, IEC 62485-5 and local fire safety regulations.
➑ 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬: Train personnel in fire safety procedures and develop comprehensive emergency response plans to handle potential fire incidents effectively.
➒ 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲: The safety level should not be impaired by a single failure in a technical system or component.
The use of #semisolidstate batteries in BESS is also gaining attention due to their high energy density in a reduced footprint, enhanced safety through the incorporation of solid electrolytes, operational efficiency in high-temperature environments, plus extended cycle life and versatility. They are also seen as a more feasible and immediate solution whilst solid-state battery technologies continue to mature.
Further resources:
Study on domestic battery energy storage
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) - House of Commons Library
