Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) store power from energy sources like renewable energy, such as solar and wind allowing it to be released as and when it is needed.
These systems play a crucial role in energy resilience, grid stability, and the transition to sustainable power sources.
Understanding the Risks in BESS
Fire is an inherent risk of battery storage facilities and once they start, they are difficult and dangerous to control. Kentec’s battery storage fire prevention systems provide multi-level protection, helping to stop your investment from going up in smoke.
Lithium-ion batteries are extremely sensitive to high temperatures, and rapid overheating can lead to thermal runaway. Kentec’s K-Detect-iON detects the build up of flammable gases that might indicate battery overheating which can then initiate the opening of vents and activation of fans to ventilate any gases before a fire can take hold. This can then trigger the opening of vents and powering of fans to release any gases before a fire can take hold.
And if the situation escalates, compatibility with any suppressant means the same system can also be configured to release an extinguishant as necessary from a single or a combination of multiple zones. If connected to our Taktis addressable fire alarm panel, the system can be used to remotely monitor hundreds of battery storage containers and keep your investment safe!
Why prevention matters:
Fire at Moss Landing battery storage facility underscores the crucial importance of prevention. Around 1,500 residents from the surrounding California area were evacuated after the blaze released toxic gases into the atmosphere.
Lithium-ion batteries are extremely sensitive to high temperatures, and rapid overheating can lead to thermal runaway. But systems that can detect the buildup of flammable gases such as hydrogen, can help prevent the situation from escalating into a fire.
BESS Whitepaper
We require some details in order for you to download this document.
The Hidden Impact of Siloxane Vapours in BESS
Battery Energy Storage Systems are designed to operate for years in sealed, high-temperature enclosures, often in remote or unattended locations. Over time, materials such as sealants, adhesives, gaskets and thermal interface compounds naturally release siloxane vapours.
While these vapours pose no direct risk to battery cells, they pose a significant, often overlooked challenge for gas detection.
How Siloxane Vapours Affect Gas Sensors
Standard catalytic bead gas sensors rely on a heated sensing element to detect flammable gases. When exposed to siloxane vapours, this heated element can decompose the compounds, forming a thin silica layer on the bead. This microscopic glass-like coating, often referred to as sensor glazing, permanently degrades sensor performance.
Independent testing has shown measurable drift and loss of sensitivity in standard catalytic sensor technology, even after relatively short exposure periods. Once affected, sensor performance does not recover through ventilation or normal operation.
Multi-Level Protection for BESS Fire Safety
Kentec’s integrated solutions provide:
- Industry-leading detection
- Double protection
- Scalable and adaptable
- Reliable compliance
Battery storage facilities are an essential part of the transition to net zero. But lithium-ion batteries are inherently flammable – with the potential to start devastating, often unstoppable fires.
Prevention is key to protecting your investment and everyone’s vision of a green future.
Prevent devastating battery storage fires with Kentec’s integrated detection
In the world of battery storage, fire prevention is better than a cure. Because once a blaze takes hold, the chances of stopping it are low. Kentec’s battery storage fire prevention systems provide multi-level protection, helping to stop your investment from going up in smoke.