Thermal Imaging for Early Warning Fire Detection in Battery Energy Storage Systems

Battery Management Systems (BMS) and Fire Detection

• A BMS can provide inputs to fire systems, including battery status, temperature, voltage levels, and gas emissions to help detect early signs of failure.

Limitations of Standard Smoke Detection

• Standard spot-type smoke detectors are ineffective for early detection of lithium-ion battery (LIB) failures due to the delayed response to the unique particulate matter and gases released during failure events.

Role of BMS with Detection Technologies

• The BMS collaborates with other detection technologies to enhance fire condition detection, ensuring timely alerts and coordinated responses to thermal events in battery systems.

Prohibition of Non-certified Battery Rack Configurations

• Installing battery racks in configurations not tested and certified compromises safety and can lead to increased risks of failure and fire.

Monitoring Precursors to LIB Failure

• A BMS can monitor precursors such as temperature anomalies, voltage irregularities, charge/discharge rates, and unusual gas emissions, which indicate impending LIB failures.

Approval of Fire System Components

• Ensuring that all fire system components are approved by local statutory authorities guarantees compliance with safety standards and regulations, reducing fire risks.

Detecting Gas for Explosion Risk

• Detection of gas related to room explosion risks must consider factors such as gas concentration levels, potential ignition sources, and room ventilation to mitigate hazards effectively.

Off-gas Detection during Thermal Runaway

• Advanced gas detection systems can identify off-gases in the early stages of thermal runaway events in lithium-ion batteries, allowing for quicker intervention.

Benefits of Air Sampling Detection (ASD)

• In addition to off-gas detection, ASD systems provide early warning through continuous air sampling, enhancing safety monitoring by detecting minute changes in air quality.

Insufficiency of LEL Sensors and Voltage Levels

• Sole reliance on lower explosion limit (LEL) sensors and cell voltage levels is insufficient for detecting early thermal runaway stages, as these indicators may not show immediate abnormalities during early events.

Reliable Pre-thermal-runaway Warning Method

• The most reliable means of providing warnings before thermal runaway occurs is through continuous monitoring of battery temperatures using advanced detection technologies.

Protecting LIB Systems in Energy Storage Systems (ESS)

• An important aspect of protecting LIB systems in ESS is implementing robust thermal management systems to prevent overheating and potential failures.

Thermal Imaging Technology in LIB Failure Detection

• Thermal imaging technology is utilized for early detection of LIB failures by identifying hotspots and irregular temperature patterns in battery systems.

Limitation of Thermal Imaging Technology

• A limitation of thermal imaging technology is its inability to penetrate beyond surface temperatures, potentially missing internal faults within battery cells.

Benefits for First Responders

• First responders can leverage thermal imaging to assess the internal condition of the ESS, identifying areas of concern without needing to physically enter potentially hazardous environments.

Monitoring Batteries during Normal Load

• Thermal imaging technology aids in monitoring battery temperatures during normal load or testing, ensuring timely detection of anomalies that could indicate future problems.

Advantages of Fixed-mounted Thermal Cameras

• Fixed-mounted thermal cameras provide a continuous monitoring advantage over handheld units, ensuring real-time data collection and alerts for temperature variations in battery systems.

Utility of Graphical Data from Thermal Cameras

• Graphical data from fixed-mounted thermal cameras is beneficial for battery maintenance, enabling detailed analysis of thermal trends and proactive management of potential issues.