Investigation of Thermal Runaway Propagation in Large-Scale Battery Energy Storage Installations

Abstract

Propagation of thermal runaway in large-scale battery energy storage (BESS) is a serious safety issue especially in high density grid-scale system deployments. The role of this paper is to examine actions and processes of thermal runaway propagation through a cell, multi-level battery architecture, module, and rack layouts. An electro-thermal model is made coupled to represent heat generation, transfer and storage of heat in an event of a runaway. The set-out systematically analyses propagation behaviour in different parameters of design and operating condition, including inter-cell spacing, cooling, as well as the fault initiation locations. The results of the simulator design show that a lack of proper thermal control and cramped designs are strongly influenced in propagation, which causes a rapid system level failure. On the other hand, larger separation and processes of enhanced cooling are effective methods of blocking or slowing propagation by reducing thermal contact between neighbouring cells. To determine the main safety wastages, a quantitative study of the evolution of propagation time and peak temperature is provided. The paper also comes up with design-based measures of alleviating the propagation risks in large-scale BESS installations. The results help in advancing the reliability of the systems, knowledge of safer architectural design, and advanced thermal control mechanisms of the next-generation grid-scale energy storing systems.