How the energy industry is solving issues with battery safety – part 2
Oct 9, 2024
auto_awesome
Guest Andrew Tattersall, Industrial Vertical Market Lead for batteries at Siemens, shares insights on enhancing battery safety amidst rising net zero goals. He discusses Siemens' ambitious plans for 2030, emphasizing innovations like electric paint lines and supplier support for sustainability. The conversation highlights the significance of early detection systems and data analytics in preventing thermal runaway events. Additionally, Dr. Kai-Phillip Kairies introduces advancements in battery behavior analysis, showcasing a proactive approach to safety in energy storage.
Siemens is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2030 in its operations and supports suppliers in reaching similar goals by 2050.
Innovative early detection systems and data analytics are crucial in preventing battery safety incidents, particularly concerning thermal runaway events.
Deep dives
Siemens' Commitment to Net Zero
Siemens is actively pursuing its Net Zero goals with a timeline set for 2030 for its own operations and 2050 for its suppliers. The company has been implementing initiatives, such as introducing fully electric paint shop facilities, to minimize its carbon footprint. Furthermore, Siemens is collaborating with various tier one automotive suppliers to aid them in achieving their own Net Zero targets. This commitment not only highlights Siemens' dedication to sustainability but also reflects a broader trend within the industry towards reducing carbon emissions across the supply chain.
Advancements in Battery Safety Initiatives
Battery safety remains a major concern, particularly with the increasing adoption of lithium-ion batteries in energy storage systems. Siemens is developing innovative solutions, such as early detection systems to identify thermal runaway situations before they escalate. By detecting small particles in the air as a precursor to battery failure, Siemens aims to provide up to 40 minutes of warning, offering crucial time to implement safety measures. Additionally, the company is exploring nitrogen suppression systems to control potential fires and prevent dangerous propagation between battery cells.
The Role of Data in Enhancing Battery Safety
Data analytics plays a vital role in enhancing battery safety and performance by leveraging information from battery management systems. Companies like Acure are harnessing voltage, current, and temperature data to create predictive models, allowing them to identify potentially hazardous conditions before they manifest as thermal runaway events. With the capability to monitor over a million batteries daily, these analytics can provide critical early warnings, potentially days or weeks in advance of an incident. The emphasis on utilizing existing data sets highlights the potential for improving safety protocols and decision-making processes in the energy storage sector.
Challenges and Opportunities in Regulatory Standards
The evolving landscape of battery technology necessitates the establishment of clearer regulatory standards to ensure safety across the industry. Current safety regulations are viewed by many as insufficient to keep pace with rapid developments in battery technologies, leading to varied implementations in different regions. The lack of universal standards can create confusion among manufacturers and responders during incidents. However, proactive engagement among industry stakeholders and the development of best practices could provide a more collaborative approach to safety in the battery sector, ultimately benefiting both manufacturers and the communities they serve.
Part two of our analysis of safety developments for energy storage and batteries.
Guest host Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, joins us to explore the challenges and solutions to lithium-ion battery safety. In part one of our two part series, thermal runaway events (which can lead to fires) were a key issue. What are the big players in manufacturing doing to address these? Andrew Tattersall is Industrial Vertical Market Lead for batteries at Siemens, and he joins the show to answer the question. With net zero goals fast approaching, how are Siemens working to improve safety? Early detection systems and regulatory frameworks are key to preventing incidents.
Additionally, data analytics play a crucial role in predictive safety measures. Dr Kai-Phillip Kairies is Co-Founder of Accure, a battery analytics company working to study battery behaviour to prevent malfunctions before they occur.
Key questions you’ll get answers to in this episode: what are Siemens' Net Zero plans, and how are they addressing sustainability across their operations and supply chain? Andrew discusses Siemens' 2030 net-zero goals and outlines innovations like electric paint lines, and support for suppliers to achieve net zero by 2050. How are battery safety concerns being addressed, particularly around thermal runaway events? Andrew and KP discuss early detection systems and the role of data analytics in preventing safety incidents.
The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza’s revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmac