Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent large-scale fire tests conducted by leading companies in the energy storage industry, highlighting the industry's shift towards larger battery cells and the associated safety challenges. It emphasizes the need for advanced safety measures and proactive systems to prevent fire incidents rather than merely relying on physical containment [3][6][25]. Group 1: Industry Trends and Challenges - Five major companies have conducted large-scale fire tests, focusing on battery systems with capacities of 5MWh to 6.25MWh, with some cells reaching capacities of 1175Ah [3][6]. - Companies are increasingly opting to disable active fire suppression systems during tests, relying instead on inherent safety designs, reflecting the challenges faced in the transition to the "large cell era" [6]. - The rise in energy density of battery cells increases the pressure on safety designs to manage extreme thermal runaway scenarios effectively [6]. - The optimization of site layouts is becoming critical as companies compress container spacing to maximize space utilization, raising concerns about heat transfer management between adjacent units [6]. - International safety standards, such as NFPA 855 (2026 version) and UL 9540A, are evolving, making large-scale fire tests a prerequisite for project approvals in the energy storage sector [6]. Group 2: Fire Test Results - The fire tests conducted by various companies showed effective containment of fire within single modules or containers, preventing chain reactions [7]. - Key results from the tests include: - Haibo's test lasted 16 hours with a maximum temperature of 1400°C, and adjacent cells only reached 56°C [7]. - EVE Energy's test lasted 13 hours, with no collapse or burning through of the A box, and internal temperatures remained below national standards [7]. - Jinko's test showed neighboring cells maintained temperatures between 38.3°C and 51.3°C without thermal runaway [7]. - Hichain's test demonstrated innovative design features that maintained structural integrity and prevented heat spread [7]. - Trina's test indicated effective thermal management with neighboring cells only reaching temperatures between 23.9°C and 43.9°C [7]. Group 3: Advanced Fire Protection Strategies - The industry is moving towards more refined fire protection strategies, shifting from traditional full-container flooding methods to targeted interventions that prevent re-ignition and contain fires at the module level [10][11]. - Companies like Fugu Technology are implementing layered protection strategies, utilizing internal gas and heat anomaly detectors within battery modules to deliver extinguishing agents directly [10]. - The development of compact fire suppression devices, such as those from Hubei Andun, allows for integration within battery modules, enhancing flexibility and effectiveness in fire scenarios [11]. - New extinguishing agents, such as composite high-stability micro-foam, are being developed to provide long-lasting cooling and prevent re-ignition, addressing the limitations of traditional agents [13][15]. Group 4: Early Warning Systems - The industry consensus is to advance risk monitoring to detect early signs of thermal runaway, with gas emissions serving as critical indicators [16][19]. - Technologies that monitor multiple parameters, including CO and H2 emissions, are being developed to enhance early detection and response capabilities [17]. - The integration of advanced sensors allows for proactive measures, such as automatic shutdown and cooling, to be initiated upon detecting anomalies [17][20]. Group 5: Compliance and Safety Standards - As energy storage companies expand into international markets, compliance with stringent safety standards is becoming essential for project approvals [22][24]. - The upcoming NFPA 855 (2026 version) emphasizes the importance of explosion management and pressure relief designs as integral components of safety systems [22][23]. - Companies that can provide robust empirical data and meet international standards are positioned to succeed in high-demand markets [24]. Group 6: Conclusion and Future Outlook - The series of large-scale fire tests conducted by leading companies has validated the baseline safety of energy storage systems under extreme conditions, highlighting the importance of proactive safety measures [25]. - The upcoming ESIE 2026 event will showcase advancements in integrated fire protection technologies, emphasizing the trend towards comprehensive safety solutions in the energy storage sector [25][27].
海博思创、亿纬等巨头2026开年5场“极端火烧”:从“硬扛”到“阻断”的防线重构