What are the hazards of lithium battery energy storage

Why are lithium-ion batteries dangerous?

“The fundamental cause of the hazards we worry about with lithium-ion batteries is thermal runaway,” Long said. At the most basic level, thermal runaway in a lithium-ion battery occurs when a failure of some type leads to overheating inside the battery cell.

How much energy can a lithium battery store?

A single battery cell (7 x 5 x 2 inches) can store 350 Whr of energy. Unfortunately, these lithium cells can experience thermal runaway which causes them to release very hot flammable, toxic gases. In large storage systems, failure of one lithium cell can cascade to include hundreds of individual cells.

Are lithium ion batteries flammable?

Lithium-ion batteries contain flammable electrolytes, which can create unique hazards when the battery cell becomes compromised and enters thermal runaway. The initiating event is frequently a short circuit which may be a result of overcharging, overheating, or mechanical abuse.

What causes lithium-ion battery explosions & fires?

EPRI’s work is primarily focused on preventing failures and responding to them effectively if they occur. To do both of these well, it’s vital to understand what can cause lithium-ion battery explosions and fires. “The fundamental cause of the hazards we worry about with lithium-ion batteries is thermal runaway,” Long said.

What happens if a lithium cell fails?

Unfortunately, these lithium cells can experience thermal runaway which causes them to release very hot flammable, toxic gases. In large storage systems, failure of one lithium cell can cascade to include hundreds of individual cells. The hot flammable gases can result in an explosion, or a very difficult to extinguish fire.

Are lithium-ion batteries safe?

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with excellent performance are widely used in portable electronics and electric vehicles (EVs), but frequent fires and explosions limit their further and more widespread applications. This review summarizes aspects of LIB safety and discusses the related issues, strategies, and testing standards.