Safety plan needed for large energy storage systems
Large energy storage systems help relieve grid congestion. But to get a permit for systems with a capacity over 400 MWh, owners and operators need a safety plan. For two clients at four locations, Witteveen+Bos prepared these safety plans, which have since been accepted by the relevant safety regions.
The required safety plan – which includes a risk analysis in line with PGS37-1* – examines, among other things, the risk of thermal runaway. This is an uncontrollable process in which a sharp increase in heat, together with the resulting chemical reactions, can cause pressure build-up, explosions, fire propagation, and the release of hazardous fumes.
No genuine risk
By employing specialist research, such as testing for fire propagation, and further examining the battery packs, we determined that thermal runaway outside the suppliers’ battery packs was not possible. In other words, no genuine risk existed that a fire in one pack could spread to others.
The experts in our Hazardous Substances group also carried out a quantitative risk analysis (QRA), which served as substantiation for part of the safety plan.
Our Safety and Risk Communication group supports companies that develop and operate energy storage systems by managing safety in accordance with Publicatiereeks Gevaarlijke stoffen PGS 37-1 lithiumhoudende energiedragers: energieopslagsystemen (EOS)*.
At increasingly more moments throughout the day, we transport more electricity than our grid can handle. This leads to grid congestion (a traffic jam on the electricity grid). As a result, companies, as well as construction and energy projects, are often prevented from withdrawing electricity from the grid or putting it back in. We therefore need to expand the electricity grid. But we also need to use it better. This will reduce grid congestion. By being more flexible with our energy, we can achieve this. Energy storage has an important role to play.
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO); translation by Witteveen+Bos
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