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Frequent Fires and Explosions: What's Next for Residential Energy Storage Safety?

Frequent Fires and Explosions: What's Next for Residential Energy Storage Safety?

2024-06-11

In recent years, as residential energy storage systems have become more widespread, safety issues have gradually come to the forefront. On June 19, 2023, a house fire in Santa Rosa, USA, caused by a home energy storage system, resulted in around $20,000 in damages. On September 27, 2023, an energy storage system caught fire in Ellenfriedersdorf, Germany, leaving two people injured and hospitalized. These alarming incidents of fires and explosions stem from insufficient system safety and have not only brought massive property losses to families but also posed serious threats to people's lives.

Residential energy storage systems are an integral part of clean energy. When combined with solar photovoltaic panels and other renewable energy systems, they provide modern households with stable and reliable power. However, the recurring safety issues have become a bottleneck constraining their further development. Hinen is well aware that the battery module is the core of a residential energy storage system, and its safety directly determines the reliability of the entire system.

Hinen's Max 8b battery module utilizes lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells, which have excellent thermal stability and safety, significantly reducing the risk of thermal runaway, making it an ideal choice for home energy storage systems. Compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, LiFePO4 batteries have a higher thermal runaway temperature, reaching 250-300°C, while lithium-ion batteries are only 120-140°C. Additionally, LiFePO4 batteries do not release oxygen during combustion, further reducing the risk of fire. The Max 8b battery module has also undergone rigorous tests, including 1/5 lifecycle testing, nail penetration, crush, drop, high/low temperature, overcharge/overdischarge, and concentrated saltwater immersion, to eliminate the possibility of thermal runaway incidents from the source.

At the same time, the Max 8b battery module adopts a two-tier architecture, with a master control unit (BCU) and a slave control unit (BMU) working together. They use automotive-grade AFE chips to achieve precise real-time monitoring of the battery's full-temperature voltage, ensuring the stable and safe operation of the system. Hinen's system is also equipped with advanced sensor technology, with an independent sampling point deployed for each cell, realizing comprehensive thermal management of the cells and early warning and protection against thermal runaway.

Lithium-ion batteries can potentially cause severe fires during thermal runaway, so a fire suppression system is also crucial. Hinen's energy storage system is equipped with an advanced fire suppression system, with each battery module integrated with a smart thermal aerosol fire extinguisher. If a battery fire fault is detected, the extinguisher will be activated within 15 seconds, automatically releasing an efficient aerosol fire extinguishing agent to put out the fire, serving as the last line of defense to ensure the safety of the system and its surrounding environment.

Hinen's smart app provides users with convenient remote monitoring capabilities, allowing them to view the real-time operating status of the battery, including voltage, current, and temperature, and receive immediate alerts to address potential issues. Additionally, the BMS system is protected by a triple safety circuit, including software, hardware, and a main fuse, to ensure efficient and stable operation.

In the tide of the clean energy revolution, Hinen has always adhered to the principle of safety first. Choosing Hinen means choosing a safe and green future.

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