Hithium’s Revolutionary Fire Test
In a groundbreaking advancement for energy technology, Hithium has completed the first-ever large-scale fire test of its ∞Block 5MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) with entirely open doors. This test, performed on June 6, 2025, marks a vital step forward in the safety validation protocols for battery systems, providing valuable insights for the industry.
The Need for Enhanced Safety Standards
As incidents of thermal runaway and other safety issues grow concerning BESS, the demand for robust and standardized safety tests has become imperative. Hithium's innovative open-door fire test aims to address this urgent need by simulating extreme conditions that batteries could face in real-world scenarios. The test featured four rigorous criteria that pushed the boundaries of safety testing:
1.
Open-Door Environment: The test was conducted with container doors fully open, allowing for an uncontrolled combustion environment with increased oxygen flow. This setup significantly differed from traditional tests involving closed doors, creating a more severe test condition.
2.
Minimal Spacing: Containers were positioned just 15 cm apart, side by side and back to back. Notably, even with flames exceeding 1,300 degrees Celsius, there was no thermal propagation, showcasing the BESS's effective thermal isolation capabilities.
3.
Deactivated Fire Suppression: For this test, all fire suppression systems were turned off. Relying solely on passive fire protection, the BESS demonstrated its ability to withstand long-lasting intense fires, confirming its autonomous fire resilience and reliability.
4.
Maximal Charge State: The BESS was tested at a full state of charge to intensify thermal energy release, critical for analyzing the system's stability and reliability under challenging conditions.
The test was conducted under strict adherence to safety standards established by UL 9540A and NFPA 855, with oversight by UL Solutions and certified U.S. fire protection engineers. This meticulous approach ensured that the findings were credible and valuable for future safety frameworks in the energy sector.
Successful Outcomes
The results of the test were impressive. After a 15-hour intense burn, the structural integrity of the battery system remained intact, without the fire spreading to any of the three adjacent containers. Such outcomes validate Hithium's unique multi-layer passive safety architecture and its capability to deliver thermal isolation, even in extreme circumstances. This achievement underscores Hithium's commitment to quality and innovation while providing critical insights that could shape future safety standards across the industry.
Future Innovations
Hithium is poised to continue enhancing safety performance through technological advancements and global collaboration. Their goal is to lead the energy storage industry towards a safer and more reliable future, ensuring that innovations keep pace with the growing energy needs of communities worldwide.
About Hithium
Founded in 2019, Hithium has rapidly established itself as a leading name in the new energy technology sector, focusing on delivering energy storage solutions driven by sophisticated battery storage and system technologies. As the only company specializing in energy storage that is capable of delivering lithium-ion batteries on a gigawatt-hour scale globally, Hithium is committed to providing cutting-edge, user-centric products and solutions across more than 20 countries and regions.
For more visual information, check out the image from the test
here.