#China #Shanghai #Energy Storage #Hithium #SNEC 2025

Hithium's Revolutionary Fire Test at SNEC 2025

On June 11, 2025, at the 18th SNEC exhibition held in Shanghai, Hithium, a prominent player in the energy storage technology sector, demonstrated the results of a pioneering fire safety test. This event, entitled "Leading the Future, Forged for Safety," showcased the world’s first large-scale open-door fire test of Hithium’s ∞Block 5MWh energy storage system.

Hithium’s innovative test not only aims to validate the durability and safety of their energy solutions but also garnered recognition as it received certification from UL Solutions, marking a significant milestone in energy storage safety standards.

Overview of the All-Open-Door Fire Test

During the demonstration, project manager Hualei Wang detailed the background and execution of the fire test. Attendees witnessed a comprehensive video presentation that covered the testing methodology, technical specifics, and outcomes. In the unique setup, eight battery cells were intentionally heated in a controlled container to induce thermal runaway, which led to a series of reactions facilitating a fire.

The fire was ignited by an ignition system that triggered combustion of the gases released from the battery cells, while the container doors were kept wide open to ensure an adequate oxygen supply. This unconventional testing method vastly exceeded standard safety protocols, providing critical insights into the fire behavior in extreme conditions.

Extreme Testing Conditions

The fire test was meticulously conducted under four extreme scenarios: total open-door combustion, dual 15 cm spacing between containers, a disabled fire suppression system, and a 100% state of charge (SOC) for the batteries involved.

In the peak phase of the fire, recorded temperature reached an astonishing 1,372°C. Nevertheless, the impressive aspect was that the monitoring systems revealed that temperatures in adjacent containers—B, C, and D—remained significantly below their thermal runaway initiation thresholds. Specific readings showed temperatures at ≤42°C for Container B, ≤80°C for Container C, and ≤70°C for Container D, indicating excellent performance in fire resistance.

Sustained Combustion and Test Results

After 15 hours of combustion, the visible flames were extinguished, revealing that the initiating container retained its structural integrity, showing no deformations or collapses. Containers B, C, and D were found to have only minor surface damage, while internal structures and battery modules remained unaffected.

This notable conclusion stemmed from Hithium's sophisticated multi-layered safety architecture. At the cell level, the use of heat-resistant materials and high-temperature separators elevated thermal resistance. Module-level strategies included low-conductivity insulation, and at the system level, a robust container design helped maintain stability even under extreme conditions.

Certification and Future Implications

The results from this ambitious fire test have not only fostered recognition from UL Solutions, which noted Hithium's compliance with both UL 9540A and NFPA 855 standards, but also set a benchmark for future tests in the industry.

Qifeng Xiao, General Manager of the Energy and Automation Division at UL Solutions in the Asia Pacific, highlighted the test's groundbreaking nature of conducting an open-door fire test under full oxygen conditions. This approach clarifies that Hithium’s energy storage systems provide intrinsic fire protection capabilities, serving as a critical reference for future energy storage safety legislation and standards.

Hithium’s commitment to pushing the envelope in safety technology reinforces its pivotal role in the ongoing transition toward greener energy solutions. Hithium aims to tighten safety innovations and improve the overall resilience of energy systems globally, ensuring a secure and sustainable future in energy storage.

What Hithium has accomplished is more than just an innovative test; it reflects the company’s unwavering confidence in their products and their commitment to transparent and groundbreaking practices in the field of energy storage.