AEGIS Loss Control is pleased to announce the updated Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) White Paper is now available to download.
Lithium-ion continues to be the most widely used chemistry for large-scale battery energy storage systems. As the number of Li-ion BESS facilities being installed rapidly increases, it’s crucial to address the hazards and risks associated with these facilities during the design, installation and operation phases.
The Li-ion BESS white paper covers fire and deflagration hazards, battery cell chemistry, fire testing, Hazard Mitigation Analysis (HMA), mitigation features and systems, and emergency response and contingency planning. The latest update expands on the Deflagration Hazard Study (DHS), installation-level testing criteria, and concerns associated with different facility configurations under consideration, such as parking garage style, enclosure stacking, etc. The white paper has also been updated to reflect changes to certain sections where code requirements have changed. The original version recommended conducting a detailed HMA early in the design phase to identify the hazards and the mitigation systems applied. However, in the NFPA 855-2023 Edition, the HMA and DHS are now retroactive requirements.
Members are encouraged to consider the AEGIS Li-ion BESS white paper as a requirement document in procurement specifications for developing the HMA and DHS for all past and future installations. The HMA and DHS play a crucial role in minimizing the deflagration hazard exposures to adjacent equipment, responding personnel and the public.
The AEGIS Loss Control team and the Li-ion BESS white paper have positively impacted the industry by helping with the early identification of risks and review of mitigation strategies. Some key risk mitigation strategies we are observing across the Membership are:
AEGIS Loss Control continues to urge caution and conservatism when designing and arranging the layout of Li-ion BESS facilities. According to news reports, Li-ion BESS facility events are occurring at a rate of nearly one per month. Therefore, until other mitigation methods are developed, tested and proven, separation should be used to limit loss potential. AEGIS continues to recommend a 25-foot separation distance between enclosures or groups of enclosures to limit the maximum expected loss unless other separation criteria are established by appropriate installation-level testing as described in the updated white paper. Fortunately, installation-level fire tests are becoming more common, which should eventually lead to installation-specific separation criteria.
For more information, please refer to the updated AEGIS Li-ion BESS white paper on AEGISlink.com.
AEGIS Loss Control Can Help
AEGIS Loss Control is available to discuss, review and/or evaluate Li-ion BESS projects with member companies, preferably during the early stages of development and design, when changes can be considered and incorporated into the project. Please contact Mark Boone, National Property Manager, by e-mail or phone at 201.508.2881, or Charles Bruce, Senior Property Loss Control Professional, by e-mail or phone at 201.508.5768.
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