Domestic use of lithium batteries
The increased uptake in lithium-ion batteries in everything from portable hand-held devices to solar energy storage systems (ESS) potentially changes the fire risk profile. Current research is looking at the fire risk associated with the use of large scale lithium-ion batteries, primarily from ESS and electric vehicles.
There is also a growing movement in DIY ESS construction using ‘second-life’ cells, which have limited or no service history with which to determine cell health.
Photo credit: Matthew Barrett
Commercial use of lithium batteries
Large-scale grid-connected ESS systems are being installed to provide network resilience to load changes. These containerised systems provide different challenges to fire safety and fire service response.
This project is working with other research organisations around the world to address these issues and provide designers, building regulators and emergency responders with guidance around these types of installations.
Photo credit: Fire Rescue Victoria and Country Fire Authority for authorising imagery use
