Introduction
Recently, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology, and Inspection of Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs established the “National Battery Energy Storage System Testing Center” at the Tongluo Science Park in Hsinchu Science Park. This is the first large-scale, professional battery energy storage system safety testing facility in Taiwan, equipped with a 360kW/360kWh testing capability, placing it among the world’s leading facilities. Through this center, domestic manufacturers can access comprehensive fire, combustion, vibration, and environmental testing services, improving Taiwan’s battery energy storage products’ competitiveness in international markets and strengthening the nation’s strategic position in the green energy supply chain.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), particularly those utilizing lithium-ion batteries, have long lacked clear safety regulations and technical guidance in Taiwan. To fill this gap, Liansuo Construction Technology leverages international standards such as NFPA 855, NFPA 68, and UL 9540/UL 9540A to provide explosion venting assessment and area calculation services for thermal runaway scenarios, helping industry players achieve higher standards in safety and compliance.
The Importance of Risk Management and Safety Design for Thermal Runaway in BESS
During operation, lithium-ion BESS may experience thermal runaway caused by battery failures or external factors, leading to fires or even explosions. Recent incidents, such as the severe fire at the Gateway Energy Storage Facility in California and the explosion at the Daxing Energy Storage Station in Beijing, highlight the gravity of this issue.
To ensure the safety and reliability of BESS, fire and explosion prevention designs are critical, with “explosion venting design” being one of the key strategies. During a thermal runaway event, promptly releasing high-temperature and high-pressure gases can effectively prevent pressure buildup and potential explosions. The UL 9540A test method evaluates the fire propagation characteristics of large-scale thermal runaway events in battery energy storage systems. Meanwhile, UL 9540, the world’s first comprehensive safety standard for battery energy storage systems, encompasses various storage technologies, providing a solid foundation for overall safety design.
International Standards for Explosion Venting Assessment and Area Calculation
NFPA 855 serves as the core standard for battery energy storage system installation requirements, based on international fire codes like IFC 2018. It outlines specific provisions based on installation locations and conditions. Explosion venting design considerations must be included when determining that the battery energy storage system could generate flammable gases that may reach the lower flammability limit (LFL).
Once the need for explosion venting design is established, the venting area must be calculated according to NFPA 68 guidelines. The calculation process involves considering explosion characteristics (e.g., Kst, Pmax), equipment parameters (e.g., volume V, maximum allowable pressure Pred), and venting device parameters (e.g., static activation pressure Pstat, venting area constant C) to ensure rapid pressure release during an explosion.
Additionally, the design should account for the distribution, quantity, maintenance schedule, environmental conditions, and structural complexity of venting devices to ensure sustained protective performance during long-term operation.
Conclusion
Explosion venting assessment and area calculation for thermal runaway in battery energy storage systems are still in the early stages in Taiwan. Liansuo Construction Technology, drawing on international standards and practical experience, provides professional and compliant technical support to help industry players enhance safety design and protective measures for BESS.
Amid increasingly stringent safety challenges, enterprises should actively adhere to international standards and employ professional technical solutions and preventive measures to detect issues early and implement appropriate responses. This not only reduces accident risks, safeguards personnel safety, and protects assets but also enhances the credibility and competitiveness of Taiwan’s battery energy storage industry in global markets.
