Hithium Innovates Safety Standards with First All Open-Door Large-Scale Fire Test

Hithium Sets a New Safety Standard

Hithium, a prominent player in energy storage technology, has recently achieved a remarkable milestone in safety verification. The company successfully completed the world's first all open-door large-scale fire test of its innovative Block 5MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). This groundbreaking test not only pushes the boundaries of safety validation methods but also addresses crucial concerns regarding thermal runaway incidents in battery systems.

As the demand for energy storage solutions escalates, the necessity for stringent and standardized safety tests has never been more urgent. Traditional safety tests often employ closed-door testing environments, which do not effectively simulate real-world scenarios where uncontrolled combustion may occur. In response to this challenge, Hithium developed the open-door fire test—specifically designed with four ultimate test challenges that emphasize safety.

Key Features of the Open-Door Fire Test

1. Unconstrained Combustion Environment: During the test, the container doors were fully open, allowing for an uninhibited combustion atmosphere with enhanced oxygen flow. This method proved to be significantly more severe compared to conventional closed-door test arrangements.
2. Minimal Spacing Between Units: Each BESS unit was strategically placed with only 15cm of spacing between them. Despite achieving flame temperatures exceeding 1300°C, the test results showed no thermal propagation to adjacent units, confirming effective isolation under close conditions.
3. Deactivation of Fire Suppression Systems: All fire suppression systems were turned off during the test to rely solely on the passive fire protection features built within the battery system. This aspect successfully demonstrated the capability of the system to maintain its structural integrity and safety in the face of prolonged, intense fires.
4. Full Capacity Test: The BESS underwent testing at a 100% State of Charge (SOC), maximizing thermal energy release. This critical factor was pivotal in validating the reliability and stability of the system under extreme conditions.

Conducted by UL Solutions, a globally respected safety certification organization, the test adhered strictly to industry standards including UL 9540A and NFPA 855. Certified fire protection engineers from the U.S. actively witnessed the process, ensuring an unbiased evaluation of the BESS's performance.

Despite prolonged combustion lasting a total of 15 hours, the BESS displayed remarkable resilience. The structural integrity of the system remained intact, with no fire propagation detected to any of the three neighboring units. This outcome highlights Hithium's advanced multi-layered passive safety architecture and thermal isolation capabilities, even in the most challenging environments.

Hithium's innovative approach reaffirms its position as a leader in the energy storage sector. The company is dedicated to enhancing safety performance and pushing innovative boundaries through advanced technology and global collaboration. This pioneering test not only sets new benchmarks for safety validation in the energy storage industry but also lays the groundwork for future safety standards while delivering key insights for improvement.

Founded in 2019, Hithium is committed to pushing the envelope in new energy technologies. Relying on cutting-edge battery technology, the company has developed robust research, production, and service capabilities, marking a significant presence in over 20 countries worldwide. As the only energy storage firm achieving GWh-scale global shipments of lithium-ion ESS batteries, Hithium is focused on strategic collaborations and innovations aimed at a safer and more reliable energy future.

In conclusion, Hithium's groundbreaking fire test represents a significant advancement in the energy storage landscape, offering the industry valuable learnings and a reference point for enhancing safety measures in battery systems across the globe.