BESS

Question 1

What does BESS stand for?

Answer 1

Battery Energy Storage Systems

Question 2

What does BMS stand for, and what does it do?

Answer 2

Battery Management System. This monitors and controls all the functions and the state of health of the battery

Question 3

What is capacity in relation to BESS?

Answer 3

The power capacity is the total possible discharge capacity (in MWs, or kW) of the BESS

Question 4

What is a cell?

Answer 4

Individual battery ‘cells’ that convert chemical energy into electrical energy.

Question 5

What is a module?

Answer 5

This is a manufacturer-specific term, e.g. a collection of cells arranged in a series

Question 6

What is thermal propagation?

Answer 6

The transfer of heat from cell-to-cell and module-to-module

Question 7

What is thermal runaway?

Answer 7

A phenomenon whereby lithium-ion cells enter an uncontrollable self heating state, that can result in ejection of gas, extremely high temperatures, smoke, fire and/or explosions

Question 8

2023 BESS fire safety guidance requires what to be included in the site design?

Answer 8

1. The site should be surrounded by a ring road. 2. There should be multiple access routes to the site.
   3.If there is sufficient on-site water supply, then hydrants are needed; if there is insufficient on-site water supply, then water storage is required.

Question 9

What is the preferred agent for managing lithium-ion battery fires?

Answer 9

Water

Question 10

What causes thermal runaway?

Answer 10

Faults in lithium-ion cells. These can be caused by internal failure e.g. short circuit, or external conditions, e.g. high or low temperatures