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CLOU Unveils Comprehensive White Paper on Fire Safety Design

CLOU, regarded as a Tier 1 provider in energy storage systems, has recently made headlines by publishing a white paper detailing its innovative Active Ventilation and Explosion-Proof System. This release follows an extraordinary 59-hour and 10-minute large-scale fire test of the Aqua C2.5, a liquid-cooled battery energy storage system (BESS), which took place earlier this year in April. This rigorous testing not only demonstrated CLOU's commitment to safety but also its readiness to meet the challenges posed by the growing safety concerns in the energy storage sector.

The fire test was closely monitored by CSA Group, simulating an extreme thermal runaway scenario that could occur in real-life situations. Four fully loaded Aqua C2.5 containers were set up in a back-to-back and side-by-side configuration to replicate actual high-density storage systems. The test began with the intentional ignition of Container A, which led to a sustained combustion lasting nearly 60 hours, with internal temperatures soaring above 1300°C. Notably, the fire suppression system remained inactive throughout the duration, allowing CLOU to validate not only the fire endurance capabilities of a single container but also the overall safety performance of its innovative ventilation and explosion-proof system, as no thermal propagation was recorded between adjacent units.

In light of several safety incidents related to energy storage systems globally, the industry has increasingly focused on implementing robust safety measures. The North American regulatory framework has established some of the strictest safety standards worldwide, including NFPA 855 and UL 9540, emphasizing the importance of lifecycle risk management from cell-level monitoring to comprehensive station-wide protection. CLOU’s multi-layered approach to fire protection is designed to safeguard its customers’ investments over the system’s entire lifecycle.

The white paper details CLOU's advanced safety measures, which include:

1. Early Warning Detection of Thermal Runaway: Using a Battery Management System (BMS) that continuously monitors voltage and temperature in real-time to trigger alarms and disconnect power circuits to prevent fires from spreading.
2. Dual-Layer Fire Suppression: This innovative method combines traditional total flooding gaseous systems with water spray systems to rapidly cool the area and prevent reignition, working harmoniously with the ventilation systems to mitigate flammable gas concentrations.
3. Explosion Protection Active-Passive Defense: CLOU implements ventilation systems to keep flammable gas levels below the lower explosive limit (LEL) of 25%, effectively averting explosive conditions at the source, all in line with NFPA 69 standards. Specialized pressure-release structures aim to confine blast impacts, averting chain reactions.
4. Active Ventilation and Explosion-Proof Design: The design integrates multiple exhaust louvers and intake vents that maintain safe gas concentration levels even under failure conditions, while also directing flames during explosions to prevent dangerous cross-container fire spread.

CLOU’s commitment is reflected in these latest advancements, as it continues to push the boundaries of safety standards in the energy storage domain. The comprehensive white paper serves as an invaluable resource for developers, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) professionals, regulators, and asset owners looking to enhance safety protocols and ensure long-term reliability of their systems.

To delve into the specifics and download CLOU's white paper, visit CLOU’s official website. Also, check out the demonstration video of the 59-Hour Large-Scale Fire Test here.