This undated file photo shows firefighters putting out an energy storage system fire. (Yonhap)
CHEONAN, Jan. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean public institute has developed new technology that can preemptively prevent massive fires by sensing and cooling the electric arc that can be generated at large-capacity energy storage systems (ESS).
The Korea Institute of Industrial Technology announced on Wednesday that it had developed a new system that can sense minute electric arcs to prevent fires at large-capacity ESS.
Safety concerns are growing over ESS as a string of ESS-related fire accidents occurred in recent months. ESS refers to systems that store electricity and supply it when needed.
The newly-developed system can sense in real-time minute electric arcs that can be generated at batteries. If such an arc is sensed, the system automatically cuts the power to prevent fires.
Once the connector joint that connects batteries is loosened, it reduces energy transmission efficiency and causes an overload of current, generating a minute electric arc.
The research team added a cushioning element between the battery and connector to improve the strength of the connection.
In addition, the research team enhanced the efficiency of collecting minute arc signals by designing the tray of the battery to have a better light reflex.
If the battery tray is made to have a pyramid embossing structure by using electromagnetic force, it’s possible to collect more than 80 percent of minute arc signals through light reflex regardless of the battery type.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
