On October 18th, 2024, Christopher Koch, as part of a panel of international experts from the United States, the United Kingdom, China and Australia, delivered an insightful presentation at the Hubei Ji'andun Overseas Energy Storage System Safety Forum, focusing on the implementation and fire safety considerations of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Australia.
Christopher Koch, a senior fire safety engineer, outlined the comprehensive approval pathway and fire risk assessment processes required for BESS installations across various Australian states. He emphasised the importance of demonstrating the adequacy of the fire safety systems provided and the need for thorough compliance assessments to ensure the fire safety systems meet the requirements of the Australian Standards prior to arrival in Australia.
The presentation covered several critical aspects, including:
- Fire Risk Assessment (FRA): A structured process carried out to identify and mitigate risks associated with BESS installations using ISO 31000 Risk Management Frameworks.
- Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA): Required in New South Wales, this analysis considers potential off-site impacts from events escalating on-site.
- Fire Safety Study (FSS): Conducted in New South Wales and Victoria, this study assesses the adequacy of firefighting provisions for different fire scenarios.
Christopher also highlighted the challenges faced in the construction and maintenance of fire safety systems within BESS containers, such as the high costs of materials and the limited availability of firefighting water in Australia. He discussed the use of Novec 1230, a gaseous suppression system, and its role in replacing older systems with higher Global Warming Potential (GWP) gases, with aerosol-based systems being favoured for BESS containers.
The presentation concluded with a call to action for industry stakeholders to collaborate and innovate in the field of fire safety for BESS, ensuring that these systems can be safely integrated into Australia's energy infrastructure.
For more information on this topic, you can reach out to Christopher Koch at Lote Consulting via our website.