Improved Safety for Na-Ion and Li-Ion Application
One of our major and urgent tasks is climate protection and the transition to a CO2-neutral society. An important building block on this path are stationary energy storage systems (Energy Storage System: ESS). The production of Li-ion based ESS requires raw materials which are mostly imported into the EU. In order to anticipate resource scarcity, we must make the best use of raw materials. The SafeION project investigates the extension of the service life of automotive Li-ion storage through 2nd-life in stationary applications as well as the alternative Na-ion batteries, which are based on regionally available raw materials and do not require Li, Ni, Co and Cu.
Battery ESS is a young technology with little experience. Small failures inside ESS can spread and, in the worst case, cause fires. Due to their novelty, these are heavily illuminated by the media and thus cause a high degree of uncertainty among potential users.
The focus of SafeION is therefore on the development of novel sensor concepts for the early detection of failures in the ESS and the development of adapted safety concepts for 2nd-life Li-ion and Na-ion based ESS.
SafeION is developing a novel early detection system consisting of a functional polymer that releases tracer gas in the event of excess temperature and distributed glass fiber-based gas sensors.
The safety concept allows early failure detection, quick countermeasures and interruption of the failur-chain and local isolation oft he failure. In particular, this prevents the accumulation of combustible and hazardous gas in the ESS.
The results of the project are:
- Safety characterization of 2nd-life Li-Ion cells and fresh Na-Ion cells
- Functional polymer that indicates excess temperature through tracer gas release and color change
- CFD simulation framework for tracer gas and electrolyte vapor flow in the ESS
- Light fiber based sensors for detection of tracer gas and electrolyte vapour
- Demonstrators of the early detection system
- Safety concept 2nd-life ESS and 2st-life Na-Ion
