Fire at an electronic waste recycler: lithium-ion battery as a culprit?

Fire at an electronic waste recycler: lithium-ion battery as a culprit?

On Monday afternoon there was a fire in the production hall of New Environplasma Verwertescenter GmbH in the Mecklenburg Lake District. The fire broke out in a sorting and shredding plant for electronic waste, which, according to initial investigations, could have been caused by an incorrectly disposed of lithium-ion battery. However, a fire expert was able to eliminate the suspicion of negligent arson Euwid recycling reported.

While the employees initially tried to put out the fire themselves, a colleague apparently struggled with possible smoke poisoning and had to be taken to hospital. A total of 83 firefighters from several fire departments worked to extinguish the fire. The property damage is estimated at up to 30,000 euros, which is well below the initial police estimates of 100,000 euros. The investigation into the exact cause of the fire continues.

The dangers of lithium-ion batteries

The use of lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in many devices and energy storage systems, poses certain risks. If defective, these batteries can cause thermal runaway, resulting in a sudden and violent release of energy. The reasons for this dangerous reaction range from overheating to mechanical damage, such as IFSEV mentioned.

Important safety requirements must be adhered to when installing and using such stationary energy storage systems. This includes protection from extreme temperatures, direct sunlight and dust. Standards such as DIN EN 61427-1 VDE 0510-40 offer clear guidelines on how dangerous situations can be avoided.

Dealing with fire-hazardous lithium-ion batteries

In the discussion about the safety of battery storage systems, selecting the right technology is particularly important. Lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePo) are considered safer than their counterparts such as nickel manganese cobalt batteries (NMC), which can reach extremely high temperatures of over 700 degrees Celsius in the event of overheating. Risk mitigation options include integrated fire suppression systems and effective battery management systems that monitor temp and voltage. PV Magazine highlights that correct technology and safety measures are critical to minimizing fire risk.

The integration of battery storage is not only important for individual energy use, but also for the overall, sustainable energy supply. By storing electricity at low prices, users can benefit even at expensive times and reduce their operating costs. It was also found that only 10 fires actually occurred out of over 130,000 photovoltaic storage systems installed, nine of which were caused by lithium-ion batteries.

The previous events in Friedland serve as a stark reminder that both attention and the necessary expertise are required when handling lithium-ion batteries. Fire departments and companies are asked to always ensure safety when using and storing energy storage devices in order to avoid such incidents.