Hithium Sets New Safety Standard with World's First Open-Door Fire Test for Energy Storage

Hithium's Groundbreaking Fire Test in Energy Storage

Hithium, a prominent name in the energy storage technology sector, has recently made headlines by conducting the world's first all open-door large-scale fire test on its innovative ∞Block 5MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). This monumental achievement not only showcases Hithium's commitment to safety and innovation but also sets a new benchmark for safety protocols within the global energy storage industry.

The Need for Enhanced Safety Testing

With the rising concerns over incidents related to thermal runaway in battery energy storage systems, there has been an urgent demand for more rigorous and standardized safety testing. Hithium's open-door fire test was designed to address this crucial need, simulating a considerably harsher environment than traditional closed-door tests. This new testing framework involved several comprehensive challenges:

1. All Open-Door Combustion: The test apparatus kept its doors fully open throughout the duration, allowing for an unrestricted combustion environment. This design amplified oxygen flow, creating a combustion scenario significantly more severe than typical tests.

2. Proximity Test: In an extraordinary test of spatial limits, BESS units were positioned just 15 centimeters apart. Despite the flames reaching temperatures exceeding 1300°C, no ignition spread occurred, demonstrating effective close-range isolation.

3. Deactivated Fire Suppression: Uniquely, all fire suppression systems were turned off during the test. Instead, the focus was on the passive fire protection measures, showcasing the system's autonomous fire resistance capabilities.

4. Full Battery Capacity: To put the BESS to its ultimate test, it was fully charged to 100% State of Charge (SOC), ensuring maximum thermal energy release and validating the system's reliability under extreme conditions.

The test was conducted by UL Solutions, a renowned authority in safety certification, and was overseen by certified U.S. fire protection engineers and stakeholders. It adhered to rigorous safety standards outlined by UL 9540A and NFPA 855. Remarkably, after enduring a full 15-hour combustion ordeal, the structural integrity of the energy storage system remained intact, with no fire propagation to adjacent units, validating Hithium's advanced safety architecture.

Implications for the Industry

This pioneering fire test by Hithium not only demonstrates the viability of their technology but also highlights the critical nature of innovation in safety practices for the energy storage field. With these findings, Hithium aims to influence future safety protocols and encourage broader adoption of robust safety measures across the industry. The independence shown by the energy storage systems during the test offers insights that could lead to improved safety standards for OEMs and end-users alike.

Hithium was founded in 2019, quickly establishing itself as a global leader in new energy technologies, with a solid focus on advanced battery and energy storage system solutions. Their commitment is further emphasized by their status as the sole energy storage firm achieving GWh-scale shipments of lithium-ion energy storage systems globally. Through their ongoing innovations and dedication to quality, Hithium is poised to significantly contribute to the evolution of safe and reliable energy solutions in the increasingly critical field of energy storage.

Moving forward, Hithium will continue to push boundaries in safety performance and technology, fostering collaborations worldwide to build a safer and more resilient energy future. The successful completion of this all open-door large-scale fire test reinforces their leadership in the sector and underlines the vital role of safety in the transition towards sustainable energy solutions.