#China #Shanghai #Energy Storage #Hithium #SNEC 2025

Hithium Unveils an Industry First at SNEC 2025

On June 11, 2025, Hithium, a pioneer in energy storage technology, presented a significant milestone in safety standards during the 18th SNEC (Solar Power and Energy Storage Exhibition) in Shanghai. The company conducted the world’s first large-scale open-door fire test of its energy storage system, Block 5MWh, and received the prestigious UL Solutions certification for its fire safety performance.

An Innovative Approach to Fire Testing

The testing event titled "Leading the Future, Forged for Safety" provided a comprehensive overview of the fire test carried out in a controlled environment. The project manager, Hualei Wang, detailed the unique conditions of the test. A video displayed the test's methodology, outlining key technical highlights and results.

In this innovative test, Hithium purposely heated eight battery units inside a container, initiating thermal runaway to observe the fire behavior under extreme conditions. The test took place with the container doors wide open, allowing for oxygen circulation crucial for the combustion process. This setup maximized thermal exposure to adjacent containers, designated as B, C, and D.

Extreme Conditions and Remarkable Outcomes

Conducted under four critical conditions, including fully open combustion and a safety system turned off, the test yielded impressive results. During the fourth hour of testing, temperatures soared up to a maximum of 1,372°C. However, monitoring confirmed that adjacent containers remained at temperatures well below their thermal runaway thresholds, with maximum temperatures recorded at: 42°C in container B, 80°C in container C, and 70°C in container D.

After 15 hours of continuous burning, the original container was structurally intact without any deformation. Importantly, no thermal runaway occurred in the adjacent units, which only experienced minor surface damage, ensuring the integrity of the internal battery modules.

A Multilayered Safety Architecture

The successful completion of the test highlighted Hithium's layered safety architecture, covering cells, modules, and systems. Key innovations included:

• - Cell-Level: Utilizing heat-resistant anodic/cathodic materials, functional additives for electrolytes, and high-temperature separators to enhance thermal thresholds.
• - Module-Level: Implementing low-conductivity insulation and flame-retardant covers to minimize fire risk.
• - System-Level: Adopting a high-strength container frame and heat-resistant enclosure materials to maintain structural stability under severe heat conditions.

During the event, UL Solutions presented Hithium with its large-scale fire test certification, acknowledging compliance with stringent UL 9540A and NFPA 855 standards. Qifeng Xiao, General Manager for the Asia-Pacific Energy and Automation Division of UL Solutions, praised the test as an industry first for conducting an open-door fire exposure, surpassing the conventional closed-door fire test models.

Implications for Energy Storage Standards

This pioneering test not only validated Hithium’s fire protection capabilities but also established a valuable benchmark for global energy storage safety standards. The thorough transparency of the testing process provided critical data and best practices for the industry. Hithium asserts its commitment to ongoing safety innovation, reinforcing the safeguards required for the global transition to green energy.

As the industry progresses, Hithium continues to lead the way in setting new standards that ensure safety and reliability in energy storage solutions, marking a significant step forward in the pursuit of a sustainable energy future.