Hello Solar Enthusiasts,
If you’ve been keeping your eyes on the solar industry, you might have heard about the hype surrounding Lithium-ion battery energy storage systems, also known as BESS. In recent years, BESS has been emerging as a dominant energy technology, bringing stability to grids nationwide by storing excess power generated from solar arrays for home use.
The surge in demand for BESS technology, however, has highlighted a few important challenges that solar companies and homeowners need to consider seriously – the risk of fire and explosion.
Some industry experts argue that the best way to handle a fire incident is to let the BESS freely burn through the stranded energy supply without any active suppression system. Even though it might sound radical, this method is often preferred since an uncontrolled system capacity could spark a fire which, without any suppression measures, could prolong and intensify a burn event.
One of the key ways that solar companies are approaching fire mitigation focuses on installing robust battery management systems paired with detailed thermal runaway sensors and explosion relief systems. Keeping the BESS spatially separated also reduces the fire risk significantly.
Insurance companies are closely watching these developments. Many factors, including the battery chemistry, the environment around a BESS, a strong battery management system, and efficient thermal runaway sensors, can influence the premiums and terms and conditions.
While we try to mitigate fire risk, it’s important for solar panel owners to consider three main factors.
Firstly, monitoring matters a lot. Software tools like LionTamer that detect failing battery cells before it’s too late can play a crucial role in risk mitigation.
Secondly, maintain a spatial separation. Ensuring that enough space exists between containers or structures to prevent collateral damage is key. Adherence to fire and building codes can provide a foundation for resilience.
Third and finally, explore suppression and protection options. While gaseous suppression and water-based protection systems are viable options, there’s ongoing research to devise even better strategies. The idea is to gain enough time to isolate and exhaust combustible gases while limiting fire spread and collateral damage.
As we move forward, it’s crucial that as we consider installing solar panels for your home, we factor in these considerations about BESS technology. After all, the more we know, the better choices we can make in our journey towards a solar-driven future. I hope that this post has given you some valuable insights to consider when scouting for solar companies to install your solar array for home usage.
Positively Solar,
[Your Name]
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/03/13/mitigate-lithium-ion-battery-fire-risk-for-manageable-premiums/
