What are the risks associated with battery power?

Battery power has been around for a long time. The risks inherent in the production, storage, use and disposal of batteries are not new. However, the way we use batteries is rapidly evolving, which brings these risks into sharp focus.

What factors affect battery safety?

The external environment (which controls the temperature, voltage, and electrochemical reactions) is the leading cause of internal disturbances in batteries . Thus, the environment in which the battery operates also plays a significant role in battery safety.

Is overcharging a battery dangerous?

If the voltage of any battery cell cannot be effectively monitored by the management system, there will be risks of its overcharging. Since excess energy is stored into the battery, overcharging is very dangerous. Typically, all batteries are first charged to a specific SOC, but some batteries initially have higher SOC before charging.

How to reduce the safety risk associated with large battery systems?

To reduce the safety risk associated with large battery systems, it is imperative to consider and test the safety at all levels, from the cell level through module and battery level and all the way to the system level, to ensure that all the safety controls of the system work as expected.

What happens if a battery is damaged?

Where the battery is damaged, it can overheat and catch fire without warning. Batteries should be checked regularly for any signs of damage and any damaged batteries should not be used. The incorrect disposal of batteries – for example, in household waste – can lead to batteries being punctured or crushed.

Can a large battery energy storage system cause catastrophic disasters?

The extremely high, intrinsic stored electrochemical and chemical energy density in large battery energy storage systems (BESS) has the very real potential to cause catastrophic disasters and dangers-to = life.