Introduction
The electrification agenda stands at the forefront of the energy revolution, leading the charge towards a greener future. However, as we electrify mobility and transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, safety concerns, particularly around battery usage and storage, are increasingly coming to the forefront. Two incidents, the Fremantle Highway fire and the New York micromobility case have been two recent cases that have caused me to reflect.
The Fremantle Highway Incident
On the Fremantle Highway, a devastating fire erupted, believed to stem from a battery source, although the exact cause still remains unknown. Regardless if the battery of an EV has been the root cause, this event has again sparked up the conversation around safety, underlining the risks and challenges associated with the growing use of high performance batteries in our everyday lives.
The New York Micromobility Cases
Earlier this year in New York, an increasing amount of battery accidents emerged around micromobility solutions which eventually caused Mayor Adams to announce plans to combat Lithium-Ion Battery fires and promote safe electric micromobility usage in March this year.
This was a reaction after E-scooters and e-bikes, powered by lithium-ion batteries, caught fire, ending up in injuries and sadly fatalities amongst users and bystanders alike. In those cases, the cause of the fire was traced back to the batteries, amplifying the ongoing discourse on battery safety in the mobility sector.
The Risks of Batteries
These and a growing number of incidents highlight a critical issue that can no longer be ignored – the risks associated with batteries, specifically fires. As we increasingly rely on batteries to power our lives – from our mobile devices to our cars, and even our homes – ensuring their safety becomes paramount. Battery fires can be devastating, causing significant damage and posing severe risks to human life.
Immersion Cooled Batteries: A Potential Solution
Addressing these safety concerns battery producing companies, such as Anodox, in collaboration with Shell, has put forth an innovative solution – immersion cooled batteries. Unlike traditional air-cooled batteries, these are immersed in a non conductive cooling liquid that helps in efficient heat dissipation, thus reducing the risk of overheating and subsequent fires.
The Advantages of Immersion Cooled Batteries
Immersion cooled batteries offer numerous advantages over their traditional counterparts. They promise superior performance or delivering higher energy efficiency, and extended lifespan. But above all, they offer enhanced safety. By continuously absorbing and dispersing heat, they significantly lower the risk of battery fires, offering a safer alternative for the electrification sector. Moreover we are talking about containment. If a single cell experiences thermal runaway, the fluid will stop it from spreading to neighboring cells, thereby averting a domino effect throughout the entire battery pack.
Conclusion: The Future of Battery Safety – a must for Electrification
As the electrification sector continues to grow, the need for safer, more efficient batteries becomes ever more urgent. Immersion cooled batteries, with their superior safety features, could play a crucial role in addressing this need. With such advancements, we can ensure the safe and sustained growth of electrification in the mobility and energy storage system sector, paving the way for a safer, greener future – one to watch!
Contact us if you want to understand more about the value of immersion cooled batteries for your mobility and ESS application.
