Envision's 49-Hour Fire Test Redefines Energy Storage Safety Standards
Envision Energy, a global leader in green technology, has achieved a significant milestone by completing an extensive fire test on its smart energy storage system, marking a new chapter in safety and environmental responsibility. This large-scale test, which lasted an astonishing 49 hours, was conducted under the supervision of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) and in collaboration with strategic partners and North American Fire Protection Engineers.
The test setting was particularly noteworthy as it recreated some of the most challenging real-world conditions. Four fully charged Envision Smart Energy Storage containers were placed in an ultra-dense configuration spaced only 5 centimeters apart, which is significantly closer than the industry’s standard spacing of 3 to 5 meters. This unprecedented layout amplified the thermal coupling challenges and restricted airflow, putting the safety limits to a rigorous test.
Remarkably, during the 49 hours and 32 minutes that the first container burned, it reached a maximum temperature of 1,297 degrees Celsius, but the adjacent containers (B, C, and D) maintained internal temperatures well below operational thresholds at just 35, 44, and 43 degrees Celsius. The first container also maintained structural integrity throughout the fire, showing no deformation or collapse while keeping its sealing joints intact. Notably, the fire did not spread to the neighboring units, which remained in good condition and fully operational after the test.
One of the most impressive aspects of this fire test was the extended ignition delay. The fire was intentionally initiated under the worst-case scenario, using synchronized high-power heating on battery elements stripped of nano-level thermal insulation. This technique, meant to maximize the potential for fire spread, resulted in an ignition delay of nearly three hours, providing critical time for potential early detection and intervention well beyond normal parameters.
The focus on environmental safety was another pivotal feature of this test. All combustion gases from the burning container were captured using advanced smoke hoods, analyzed, and neutralized through sophisticated treatment processes. In a remarkable feat, the entire 49-hour fire test resulted in zero emissions, odors, or environmental pollution, setting a new industrial benchmark for clean and environmentally friendly fire testing in energy storage.
Powered by artificial intelligence, Envision's smart energy storage system offers superior safety in extreme conditions. The system integrates Envision’s exclusive high-safety battery cells into a robust three-layer safety architecture that covers all levels from cell to system. This advanced setup includes AI-driven fire detection and active firefighting measures at the pack level, which efficiently isolate thermal events within the same container. As a result, Envision’s storage systems have been successfully deployed in over 300 projects worldwide without any reported safety incidents.
This groundbreaking fire test demonstrates that Envision's Smart Energy Storage technology can effectively contain any fire risk within a single container, even in high-risk scenarios. The quantifiable safety results provide insurers with greater confidence in underwriting storage assets, paving the way for broader commercial adoption and expediting the transition to safe and scalable energy storage solutions. The implications for future energy storage safety standards are vast, ensuring that the world moves forward with confidence in innovative energy technologies.