Lithium-Ion Battery Hazards: Combining Fire Science Fundamentals and Industry Loss Lessons to Inform Fire Protection Design

Online Presentation: Lithium-Ion Battery Hazards: Combining Fire Science Fundamentals and Industry Loss Lessons to Inform Fire Protection Design

Presenters:

Nick Gobin, P.Eng

Nick has been a practicing Loss Prevention Engineer in BC since 2009. Nick was first exposed to the fundamental of Fire Protection Engineering at FM Global, eventually specializing in Pulp and Paper and Power Generation. Nick worked on international projects after joining Marsh Canada in 2014, eventually heading Marsh’s Global Technical Team for Lithium Ion Batteries. In this capacity, Nick worked with a team of 11 specialists around the world to monitor loss trends and lessons, evolving codes and standards, and develop guidance on best practices relating to lithium ion batteries. Nick has contributed to NFPA 855 and presented on battery fire hazards for Energy Storage Canada and the Canadian Annual Engineering Insurance Conference. Nick started RiskTools.AI in 2023 and now serves as its CEO.

Synopsis:

The lithium-ion battery industry has experienced >50% compound annual growth (CAGR) in global capacity from 2017-2023. The technology is considered a key component of the sustainable energy transition, but also brings new fire hazards and risks. Batteries have become ever-present in modern society, and are now regularly found in Electric Vehicles, micromobility devices like scooters and e-bikes, residential backup power solutions, and enormous grid-scale energy storage installations. This seminar will critically examine current best practices for fire and explosion protection around battery hazards by reviewing the fire science fundamentals and lessons from actual battery losses around the world.