#China #Shanghai #Energy Storage #Hithium #Fire Test

Hithium Sets New Safety Standards at SNEC 2025

In a landmark event held on June 11, 2025, Hithium, a frontrunner in energy storage technology, made headlines at the 18th SNEC by presenting unprecedented results from the world’s first open-door large-scale fire test of its energy storage system, ∞Block 5MWh. This event centered around the theme "Leading the Future, Forged for Safety," where the company outlined its commitment to safety and innovation in the field of energy storage.

During the presentation, project lead Hualei Wang provided insights into the fire test's objectives and methodologies. The event featured a video showcasing the open-door fire test, detailing the process, technical highlights, and results, offering an in-depth view of the rigorous testing environment.

The open-door fire test involved intentionally heating eight battery cells within Container A to induce thermal instability, resulting in cell-to-cell propagation. As the battery's pressure relief valves opened, igniting a combustion reaction triggered by a spark system, the doors of the test container remained fully open to allow for a continuous supply of oxygen. This arrangement maximized thermal impact on adjacent Containers B, C, and D, creating an environment of extreme testing.

Conducted under four intense conditions, the test included parameters such as an open-door combustion scenario, extreme spacing of 15 cm between containers, a non-operational fire suppression system, and a 100% state of charge (SOC). The peak fire temperature reached a staggering 1,372 °C during the fourth hour of testing. Remarkably, temperature monitoring confirmed that temperatures in adjacent containers B, C, and D remained significantly lower than the critical thresholds needed for thermal runaway conditions, as defined by the UL9540A standard (≤ 42 °C in Container B, ≤ 80 °C in Container C, and ≤ 70 °C in Container D).

After 15 hours of burning, the flames extinguished naturally, and the contributing container retained structural integrity without any deformation or collapse. Neither combustion nor thermal propagation occurred in the three neighboring containers, which only exhibited minor surface damage while the internal battery modules remained completely intact.

This pivotal test was made possible due to Hithium's multi-layered safety architecture, which encompasses cell, module, and system levels. At the cell level, heat-resistant anode/cathode materials and high-temperature separators enhance thermal limits. The module level benefits from low-conductivity insulation and flame-retardant coverings to reduce propagation risks. Finally, at the system level, a robust container framework and heat-resistant materials ensure structural stability even under severe heat conditions.

As part of the event, UL Solutions recognized Hithium with a certification for the fire test, validating compliance with UL 9540A and NFPA 855 standards. Qifeng Xiao, head of energy and automation for the Asia-Pacific region at UL Solutions, remarked during the certification ceremony, "Hithium's groundbreaking open-door extreme fire test was conducted under full oxygen exposure, significantly exceeding industry standards for closed-door fire tests with explosion venting. The positive results not only confirmed the intrinsic fire protection of the system but also established a vital reference point for developing global safety standards in energy storage systems."

This groundbreaking fire test not only demonstrated Hithium's technical prowess but also reinforced the company’s unwavering confidence in its energy storage systems through a fully transparent testing process. Such developments provide essential data and insights for the industry, ensuring Hithium is at the forefront of safety innovations. The company continues to champion the safe transition to green energy, tightening the 'seatbelt' for this critical global shift.