HFD Battery Energy Storage Systems Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, hazards, and operational procedures for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) incidents based on Houston Fire Department guidelines.

Battery Cell

A single electrochemical unit that generates electricity through chemical reactions.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

A system that captures energy for later use to reduce imbalances between energy demand and energy production.

Battery Management System (BMS)

Device that constantly monitors the health of the batteries and shuts down the affected module or rack when it detects a problem.

Battery Pack (Module)

A group of battery cells connected in a series or parallel configuration.

Battery Rack

A group of modules interconnected together to provide a greater energy capacity.

Cabinet

A small-medium size enclosure used to store the components of the BESS.

Container

A large storage enclosure used to store the components of the BESS.

ESTOP

Emergency stop device that will shut down the entire system.

Hydrofluoric Acid

Hydrogen Fluoride combined with water; this liquid is an irritant to the skin and mucous membranes.

Hydrogen Fluoride

A byproduct of Thermal Runaway which, in gaseous form, is an irritant to the respiratory system.

Lead-Acid Battery

A rechargeable energy storage device consisting of lead dioxide and sponge lead electrodes submerged in a dilute sulfuric acid ($H_2SO_4$) electrolyte.

Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) Battery

A rechargeable battery that uses lithium ions as the primary component of its electrolyte.

Stranded Energy

A condition where the system has been electrically isolated, but there is still a residual charge in the batteries.

Thermal Runaway

The chemical chain reaction of a Li-Ion battery that has been compromised and is internally short circuited.

Hazardous Materials Response Team (HMRT)

The team that uses a risk-based response process to analyze, plan, implement, and evaluate the progress of an incident involving hazardous materials.

Peak Shaving

A utility BESS application used to help alleviate the demand for energy during peak hours of the day by charging during non-peak times.

Frequency Regulation

A utility BESS function that smooths out uneven voltage from a grid to a building and helps against power surges and reductions.

Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS)

Battery backup used when electrical power fails or loses voltage; many are currently lead-acid batteries.

ACRE

An operational acronym used for BESS incidents standing for: Assess, Control Hazards, Rescue, Evacuate.

Lithium-ion Battery Smoke Color

The smoke produced by a Li-ion battery is white in color.

Re-ignition Timeline

Li-ion BESS may re-ignite hours to days, sometimes up to $90$ days, after being involved in a fire.