In line with the U.S. Power Data Administration, renewable vitality sources reminiscent of photo voltaic and wind are projected to generate 44% of all energy in the US by 2050, rising the necessity for battery vitality storage methods (BESS). The recognition of BESS is simple to know: It’s renewable, comparatively low value to put in, resilient, environment friendly and rapidly transfers vitality from cost to discharge as wanted. Nonetheless, BESS do current sure dangers together with hearth related to battery electrolyte chemical substances.
When BESS first confirmed up over a decade in the past, they had been primarily in energy technology settings. As we speak, photo voltaic and storage installers and mission builders are increasing them to business operations, together with retail settings reminiscent of massive superstores, warehouses and information facilities. The know-how can be increasing rapidly with plans to extend utility-scale battery capability over the approaching years.
What are the dangers of BESS?
Credit score: NextEra Power
The potential dangers of BESS embody electrical-related failures, electrocution, flamable fuel launch and explosion. Most BESS models are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which might expertise thermal runaway, the place batteries can launch flammable fuel and ignite when overheated or struggling a brief circuit. This cascading impact triggers different close by cells to fail and produce extreme warmth and flamable gases, notably when there may be bodily harm, manufacturing defects, quick circuits and extreme battery overcharge.
BESS are additionally inclined to mechanical and electrical breakdowns, which might render the system non-operational. They are often weak to wreck attributable to poor dealing with or improper set up by photo voltaic installers or mission builders.
Decreasing threat of fireside loss resulting from BESS misuse
Threat from fires might be decreased by adhering to NFPA 855 requirements for all new BESS installations. These requirements had been launched by the business in 2020 after analysis by NFPA’s Property Insurance coverage Analysis Group discovered hearth hazards with lithium-ion batteries. The requirements apply to the design, building, operation upkeep and set up of BESS with the aim to scale back potential threat related to using BESS.
Finest practices for mission builders putting in BESS containers
You will need to set up all new BESS containers on the outside of important buildings. The containers must be configured at a minimal of 25 ft from the closest exterior wall or roof overhang and never in keeping with any constructing openings reminiscent of home windows, doorways and vents. Further BESS containers must be positioned at a minimal distance of 10 ft between different battery vitality storage system models/containers.
When BESS models have to be positioned close to a important constructing or adjoining storage models, installers ought to improve the outside wall to fulfill a 2-hour hearth resistance rated meeting full with 90-minute hearth rated doorways or home windows. As well as, a 2-hour concrete hearth wall must be offered between the unit and construction and lengthen previous every finish horizontally by half the width of the most important container and lengthen vertically above the peak of the container by a minimal of three ft.
Outfit BESS with correct exhaust air flow
As well as, installers ought to match exhaust air flow within the BESS to launch off-gasses attributable to a growing lithium-ion battery hearth and cut back potential for extreme warmth, which might result in thermal runaway. BESS configured inside small rooms, enclosures, or containers the place flammable fuel can exceed 25% of the decrease flammable restrict (LFL) must be protected with both explosion suppression or deflagration venting designed and put in inside necessities of NFPA 69 Commonplace on Explosion Prevention Techniques and NFPA 68 Commonplace on Explosion Safety by Deflagration Venting.
Set up correct detection methods
It’s also necessary to put in steady fuel detection inside the enclosure, which might activate the mechanical exhaust system upon detection of methane, benzene, ethane, ethylene, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide, all of that are widespread off-gases from an early thermal runaway occasion.
For bigger capability models, solar energy installers can combine smoke and hearth detection in accordance with NFPA 72 utilizing very early warning smoke detection (VESDA) or radiant-type detection inside the container.
Set up sprinkler safety methods
The place sturdy water provide exists, mission builders ought to take into account defending bigger BESS capability models with automated hearth sprinkler safety to allow satisfactory cooling and cut back the potential for the battery preparations from reaching thermal runaway. Alternatively, some BESS models are actually obtainable with a pre-piped deluge sprinkler system with a connection on the outside unit, which allows the responding hearth division to attach and supply the water provide for the deluge system.
A companion with expertise
Whereas it isn’t straightforward to foretell if a BESS will fail or be disrupted, it’s important for photo voltaic and storage installers to take proactive measures to assist shield their firm and property. Partnering with an skilled insurance coverage firm might be helpful to the mitigation efforts undertaken by mission builders. At The Hartford, for instance, threat engineering specialists know the distinctive dangers and challenges that many companies face. On the subject of BESS, the insurer can work with brokers and brokers to assist photo voltaic installers and mission builders higher perceive the dangers and assist stop points from occurring by progressive know-how and specialised insurance coverage options.
Stacie Prescott is Head of Power at The Hartford. All through her greater than 30-year profession in insurance coverage, she has gained in depth underwriting expertise insuring the vitality business.
Kenneth Travers, CFPS, ARM is Technical Supervisor – Property and Product Specialist for The Hartford. He has greater than 43 years of expertise within the threat engineering discipline growing and delivering loss management engineering providers and evaluation instruments for advanced companies with a spotlight in pure disaster, enterprise affect, provide chain and hearth safety engineering purposes.
The knowledge offered in these supplies is meant to be normal and advisory in nature. It shall not be thought of authorized recommendation. The Hartford doesn’t warrant that the implementation of any view or suggestion contained herein will: (i) outcome within the elimination of any unsafe situations at your corporation places or with respect to your corporation operations; or (ii) be an applicable authorized or enterprise observe. The Hartford assumes no accountability for the management or correction of hazards or authorized compliance with respect to your corporation practices, and the views and proposals contained herein shall not represent our enterprise, in your behalf or for the advantage of others, to find out or warrant that your corporation premises, places or operations are secure or healthful, or are in compliance with any legislation, rule or regulation. Readers in search of to resolve particular security, authorized or enterprise points or issues associated to the knowledge offered in these supplies ought to seek the advice of their security advisor, legal professional or enterprise advisors. All info and representations herein are as January 2024.
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