Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the critical balance the energy storage industry must find between safety verification through costly combustion tests and the need for long-term sustainable development, especially in light of recent safety incidents and performance issues in large-scale energy storage systems [5][6][9]. Industry Overview - As of mid-2023, China's new energy storage installed capacity has surpassed 100 GW, reaching 101.3 GW, which is approximately 32 times that of the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan [6]. - The rapid expansion of the energy storage industry is accompanied by significant safety challenges, with nearly 30 safety incidents reported globally this year [6]. Safety Concerns - A report by ACCURE indicates that about 19% of large-scale energy storage projects exhibit quality and performance anomalies, meaning nearly one in five projects fails to meet design expectations [5]. - Notable incidents include fires at the Moss Landing energy storage facility in the U.S. and a national data center in South Korea, highlighting the critical nature of safety in the sustainable development of the energy storage sector [6]. Thermal Runaway Risks - Research from Huazhong University of Science and Technology quantifies the thermal runaway risks associated with lithium iron phosphate batteries, showing that the heat release can reach up to 100 GJ at the system level, equivalent to 24 tons of TNT [7]. - The increasing scale of energy storage systems necessitates a focus on safety that transcends mere technical aspects, becoming a key factor in energy transition [7]. Testing and Standards - The industry is moving towards a more robust safety framework, with the implementation of mandatory national standards for lithium batteries and ongoing development of nearly 30 related standards in the first half of the year [8]. - Large-scale combustion testing is becoming an implicit entry requirement for the industry, particularly in high-end markets like the U.S. and the Middle East, where such tests are essential for project approval and financing [8][9]. Industry Practices - Major companies are conducting large-scale combustion tests to ensure customer safety and fulfill industry responsibilities, focusing on long-term operational safety over short-term cost considerations [9]. - The lack of standardized testing methods among companies leads to challenges in result comparability and safety level assessments [11]. Future Directions - Experts suggest that as technology advances, the reliance on large-scale combustion tests may diminish, advocating for the establishment of clear safety standards based on accumulated data to avoid costly repetitive testing [12]. - The industry is encouraged to collaborate with academic and research institutions to develop precise fire models and utilize simulation to reduce the need for extensive physical testing, aiming for a more efficient and environmentally friendly safety verification process [12].