#China #Shenzhen #Huawei #Energy Storage #Smart String ESS

Huawei's Smart String ESS Triumphs in Extreme Ignition Test

Huawei Digital Power has marked a significant milestone in energy storage safety with the successful completion of an extreme ignition test for its Smart String & Grid Forming Energy Storage System (ESS). This landmark event was verified by DNV, a recognized independent organization known for risk management and safety assurance worldwide. The groundbreaking test, conducted under real-world conditions, validated the capabilities of the Smart String ESS in extreme situations, reinforcing the safety standards within the energy storage industry.

Validation Under Extreme Conditions

The test adhered to international standard UL 9540A methodology, significantly increasing the number of cells subjected to thermal runaway. This rigorous approach provided comprehensive validation of the Smart String ESS’s protective measures under extreme ignition scenarios, establishing a new benchmark for safety testing in the sector.

Real-World Testing with Production Models

The assessments were performed under conditions that accurately reflected real-world applications, utilizing four Smart String & Grid Forming ESS units (containers A, B, C, and D). These units, representing 100% mass-produced products, were charged to a state of charge (SOC) of 100% and deployed in alignment with the minimum maintenance and safety requirements necessary for operation. The entire test process executed autonomously without any manual intervention, ensuring a realistic and thorough system-level validation environment.

Thermal Runaway Without Catastrophic Consequences

In traditional energy storage systems (ESS), thermal runaway in a single cell frequently leads to the release of flammable gases, which can result in fires or explosions. However, in Huawei's Smart String ESS (Container A), thermal runaway occurred in 12 cells without triggering any such incidents. Thanks to the system’s innovative combined defense mechanism—including a positive pressure oxygen barrier and directed smoke exhaust channel—flammable gases were effectively evacuated. No manual ignition ignition led to fire or explosion, showcasing the ESS’s ability to prevent thermal runaway propagation at the battery pack level.

Exceptional Fire Resistance Capabilities

The testing conditions included simulations of large-scale burning scenarios by incrementally increasing the number of cells affected by thermal runaway while ensuring maximum oxygen supply to create stringent burning conditions. Remarkably, even under such intense pressure, the highest cell temperature recorded in adjacent containers B, C, and D was only 47 °C, remaining well below the thermal runaway threshold. Post-test disassembly validated the integrity of the ESS casing, fire-resistant layers, and internal battery packs, demonstrating the system’s resilience in extreme situations.

Proactive Measures to Prevent Serious Accidents

Traditional ESS configurations often entail an immediate risk of fire or explosion if a single cell experiences thermal runaway, leading to catastrophic failures. Conversely, Huawei's Smart String ESS (Container A) delayed the ignition of fire by 7 hours, even with an increased number of cells undergoing thermal runaway. This slow progression of failure allows ample time for emergency personnel to respond effectively, thus enhancing personnel safety and asset protection.

Redefining ESS Safety Protocols

Successfully passing this test underscores Huawei Digital Power's remarkable strides in safety within the energy storage domain, emphasizing the necessity of robust emergency procedures in the renewable energy industry for its sustainable and high-quality future growth. The company's architectural innovations have effectively shifted the safety protection mechanisms of ESS from the container level (industry standard) to the packaging level, significantly reducing the risk of thermal runaway propagation.

This transformative achievement positions Huawei's Smart String ESS at the forefront of energy safety technology, paving the way for future developments in energy storage solutions.