Did a sprinkler system trigger a battery module overheating incident?

Preliminary assessment has begun into a battery module overheating incident which occurred over the weekend at the world’s biggest battery energy storage system (BESS) project, Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility. Targeted sprinkler systems aimed at those affected modules were triggered.

Are energy storage systems safe?

Around the globe energy storage systems are being installed at an unprecedented rate, and for good reasons. There are a lot of benefits that energy storage systems (ESS) can provide, but along with those benefits come some hazards that need to be considered.

What happens if a battery is overheated?

The initial overheated cell then generates flammable and toxic gasses and can reach a heat high enough to ignite those gasses. This phenomenon can cascade to adjacent cells and progress through the ESS, thus the term “runaway”. Off Gassing – The gasses that ae released from battery energy storage systems are highly flammable and toxic.

How can BMS and EMS improve battery energy storage performance?

Smart integration between BMS and EMS in battery energy storage enables predictive maintenance and optimal operation. Thermal management is not just a safety mechanism—it’s a performance enabler for modern energy storage systems.

How does liquid cooling work in high-density commercial energy storage?

In high-density commercial energy storage, liquid cooling for battery systems provides consistent and efficient thermal control. Here’s how it works: Coolant flow: Pumps circulate coolant through channels embedded in battery modules. Heat exchange: Heat absorbed from the battery is transferred to a heat exchanger and dissipated.

Did a lithium-ion battery module overheat?

On Saturday, 4 September, in the 300MW / 1,200MWh Phase I of the plant, located in Monterey County, California, some lithium-ion battery modules overheated. Safety features were activated, detecting that temperatures had exceeded operational standards in a limited number of modules.