Blue Whale and UNIGRID to deploy rooftop BESS in Southeast Asia

by Featured NewsFire EngineeringSafety

Urban BESS installations face new solution in Southeast Asia

Blue Whale Energy has announced a new partnership with UNIGRID to deliver battery energy storage system (BESS) installations in space-limited Southeast Asian cities.

The two companies will begin by rolling out 8 MWh of sodium-ion rooftop battery systems beneath commercial and industrial solar arrays by the end of 2025.

According to Blue Whale Energy, BESS co-located with solar is essential to support electric grids experiencing strain from variable solar output and increasing demand.

In dense urban areas, however, conventional lithium-ion systems face challenges due to setback requirements, fire safety concerns and engineering complexity.

Blue Whale Energy stated that its compact rooftop approach using sodium-ion battery technology allows deployment in areas where lithium-ion systems are impractical.

Sodium-ion selected for thermal safety and flexibility

Blue Whale Energy explained that sodium-ion cells from UNIGRID eliminate the need for active thermal controls.

The company said lithium-ion installations typically require advanced cooling, fire mitigation, and housing infrastructure that increases costs and reduces feasibility in urban zones.

By contrast, UNIGRID’s sodium-ion batteries operate across a wide temperature range without active cooling, according to Blue Whale Energy.

Gabriel Lim, Founder and CEO of Blue Whale Energy, said: “This technology is a game changer for us.”
“With UNIGRID’s sodium-ion platform, we can deploy energy storage directly where energy is needed – on commercial and industrial rooftops throughout urban cities where space constraints previously made installations unfeasible.”
“This allows us to turn every roof into a dispatchable grid asset.”

Partnership to scale Southeast Asia’s virtual power plants

The two companies have confirmed that the 2025 deployment will serve as a launch platform for broader rollout in 2026.

The initiative will form part of Blue Whale Energy’s development of a distributed virtual power plant (VPP) model across Southeast Asia.

UNIGRID CEO Darren H. S. Tan said: “We’re proud to support Blue Whale in building Southeast Asia’s virtual power plant network, powered by distributed renewable energy and safe storage.”
“Such an approach allows us to open up new and untapped market opportunities in the BESS world.”

Blue Whale Energy confirmed that the VPP strategy is based on turning underused rooftop space into grid-connected assets.

The firm said sodium-ion’s safety profile makes it viable for urban VPP rollout in a way that lithium-ion cannot match.

Regulatory and economic factors drive solar-plus-storage

Blue Whale Energy noted that falling solar costs and policy incentives are driving up installation rates across the region.

The firm said that while solar adoption is growing, many grids cannot absorb the influx of power during daylight hours without storage support.

UNIGRID added that flexible storage infrastructure is increasingly necessary to maintain system reliability.

According to Blue Whale Energy, the mismatch between peak demand and solar generation has created a need for BESS integration.

It said sodium-ion storage enables better alignment between generation and consumption while reducing fire risk.

First deployments planned for late 2025

Blue Whale Energy stated that the initial 8 MWh rollout is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.

The project will focus on commercial and industrial rooftops in dense city locations.

Both companies said they intend to scale deployments to additional sites in 2026 and beyond.

They confirmed that future projects will be based on the same compact rooftop installation model.

According to Blue Whale Energy, long-term goals include wider adoption across Southeast Asia in support of national energy transition strategies.

Blue Whale and UNIGRID to deploy rooftop BESS in Southeast Asia: Summary

Blue Whale Energy has partnered with UNIGRID to deliver rooftop BESS in Southeast Asia.

The companies will deploy 8 MWh of sodium-ion rooftop battery systems by the end of 2025.

The storage units will be co-located beneath commercial and industrial solar arrays in urban areas.

Blue Whale Energy said sodium-ion was selected for its thermal safety and ability to operate without cooling.

UNIGRID confirmed the batteries will support distributed virtual power plant development across Southeast Asia.

The companies said the strategy addresses limitations of lithium-ion in cities, such as fire safety and space needs.

Blue Whale Energy said the solution aligns with rising solar adoption and the need to balance grid supply.

The firm said the approach turns rooftops into grid assets that store and dispatch energy.

Both companies plan to expand installations from 2026 onwards.

The news was reported by Blue Whale Energy on 26 June 2025.

BESS fire test completed by CLOU Electronics in China

by Featured NewsResearchSafety

Large-scale BESS test withstands high heat without thermal spread

CLOU Electronics has reported that its Aqua C2.5 5MWh liquid-cooled BESS successfully completed a 59-hour and 10-minute large-scale fire test.

The test was witnessed and documented by CSA Group personnel in full.

According to the company, the test subjected the system to flames exceeding 1,300°C and showed no thermal runaway propagation to nearby battery enclosures.

The structure reportedly maintained full integrity throughout the fire.

CLOU Electronics stated that the test replicates worst-case fire scenarios in centralised energy storage installations, aiming to evaluate whether fire can spread between enclosures.

The company explained that the results would be used to inform improvements in BESS site fire protection planning.

CSA Group witnesses BESS test performance

The test involved igniting one battery container, referred to as Container A, and allowing the fire to develop naturally until extinguishment.

CSA Group, which observed the full test, verified that no neighbouring systems experienced safety breaches, such as pressure valve activation or thermal runaway.

CLOU Electronics reported that the test achieved a complete combustion duration of 59 hours and 10 minutes.

It confirmed that the fire did not reignite after attenuation.

The company added that the flame-retardant and thermal insulation features of the Aqua C2.5 system played a central role in this performance.

This aligns with the client’s custom test requirements.

CLOU outlines fire progression simulation methods

CLOU Electronics stated that the methodology simulated the full cycle of fire development: ignition, escalation, and attenuation.

The firm explained that this process enabled collection of critical safety parameters for energy storage plant protection system design.

CLOU Electronics said that the data would support enhanced system response planning in the event of future fire scenarios.

It also noted that the test helped validate how high-temperature events could be sustained without triggering safety incidents in adjacent containers.

The company further confirmed that these outcomes support risk-informed approaches to facility-scale BESS integration.

System director highlights design rationale

Eric Wang, System Director of CLOU ESS Division, said: “The test results have far exceeded our most stringent safety benchmarks.”

He added: “CLOU’s integrated approach combining superior flame retardancy, advanced thermal management and inherent system protection represents a significant advancement in energy storage safety engineering.”

Wang explained: “The solution’s forward-looking design is specifically engineered to address emerging challenges posed by high-energy-density battery technologies.”

Wang stated that the system’s performance is intended to meet the increasing safety demands of next-generation storage.

He said the test reinforced the operational viability of the Aqua C2.5 system for grid-scale deployment.

Implications for certification and deployment

According to CLOU Electronics, the system’s containment performance offers a new standard for certification-level testing.

The firm stated that this may affect approval processes for BESS products in multiple global markets.

CLOU Electronics added that the Aqua C2.5 system is ready for deployment at gigawatt scale in utility, commercial and industrial settings.

It reported that the test shows that long-duration fire events can be managed with no cascading system failure.

The company said the outcome demonstrates how fire resilience and operational efficiency can be delivered in tandem through system design.

BESS fire test completed by CLOU Electronics in China: Summary

CLOU Electronics has completed a 59-hour and 10-minute large-scale fire test on its Aqua C2.5 BESS.

The test was conducted in China and fully observed by CSA Group personnel.

The fire reached temperatures above 1,300°C and did not cause thermal runaway propagation.

The structure remained intact throughout the test.

No neighbouring systems exhibited valve activity or containment breach.

The test was designed to simulate real-world fire conditions and assess spread between enclosures.

The system met the client’s customised performance criteria.

CLOU Electronics stated that the data collected will support fire protection system planning.

Eric Wang of CLOU ESS Division said the results exceeded the company’s internal safety standards.

He confirmed that the system is designed for high-energy-density applications.

CLOU Electronics reported that Aqua C2.5 is suitable for global utility-scale deployment.

Battery safety and planning rules examined in new BESS briefing

by Breaking NewsSafety

BESS installation and safety raised in UK government research

A research briefing by the UK House of Commons Library has detailed current regulation, safety concerns and planning requirements for battery energy storage systems (BESS), alongside factors limiting their wider deployment.

The paper, published on 3 June 2025 and authored by Georgina Hutton and Iona Stewart, outlines how BESS facilities are used to store surplus electricity and support renewable generation.

According to the Library, the government aims to increase installed BESS capacity from 4.5 GW in 2024 to 23–27 GW by 2030.

It said that BESS developments are governed by differing planning rules depending on which part of the UK they are located in, and that fire safety is covered by wider health and safety legislation.

The briefing also identifies a lack of domestic battery production and limited access to critical minerals as barriers to development, along with grid connection delays and upfront costs.

Fire risks and incident data around lithium-ion BESS

The UK House of Commons Library briefing reported that while incidents involving BESS sites remain rare, lithium-ion batteries can present a fire risk due to the possibility of thermal runaway.

It explained that thermal runaway can be caused by battery damage and has been the source of documented fires in the UK, including one in Liverpool in 2020 and one in Essex in February 2025.

The Library stated that understanding of thermal runaway has improved in recent years, and newer systems are typically equipped with suppression systems and more fire-resistant battery chemistries.

It added that there is no comprehensive, publicly accessible record of the number of BESS fires that have occurred in the UK or globally.

Guidance published by the government in August 2023 recommends that developers and planning authorities consult local fire and rescue services as part of the application process.

Regulatory framework and safety standards for BESS projects

According to the briefing, there are no laws specific to the safety of BESS sites.

However, the Library said that batteries used in storage systems may need to meet existing product safety standards, especially where second-life batteries are used.

It also noted that wider grid-scale systems are subject to general fire safety and health and safety legislation, depending on how and where they are installed.

In April 2024, the UK government released new guidance on the health and safety of electrical energy storage at grid scale.

The Health and Safety Executive also maintains a dedicated information page for battery energy storage systems, which brings together applicable regulations and resources.

Planning rules and licensing for battery storage in the UK

The Library stated that planning policy for BESS installations differs across the four UK nations.

It explained that in England and Wales, planning decisions for battery storage systems are handled by local planning authorities, regardless of system capacity.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, permission is granted either by ministers or by planning authorities depending on the capacity of the storage facility.

In addition to planning permission, a grid-scale BESS may require a generating licence from Ofgem in Great Britain or the Utility Regulator in Northern Ireland.

The briefing made clear that planning is a devolved matter and that national differences in decision-making procedures should be taken into account.

Cost, supply chain, and connection barriers to deployment

The Library identified several constraints on the development of BESS and other forms of energy storage.

It reported that high capital costs, delays to grid connections and a lack of certainty around revenue streams were among the key barriers faced by developers.

According to the briefing, the Commons Business and Trade Select Committee has expressed concern over the UK’s “insufficient domestic manufacturing capacity” for batteries.

The Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee has also raised issues regarding the UK’s dependence on overseas supply of critical minerals used in battery systems, including lithium.

In response, the UK government outlined plans to improve supply chain resilience in the UK battery strategy (November 2023) and the critical minerals strategy (July 2022).

The Labour Government has said it will produce a revised critical minerals strategy in 2025.

Ofgem and the government are also progressing a new cap-and-floor revenue mechanism for long-duration energy storage, with initial project approvals expected by Q2 2026.

Battery safety and planning rules examined in new BESS briefing: Summary

A new Commons Library briefing covers battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the UK.

It was published on 3 June 2025 by Georgina Hutton and Iona Stewart.

The report outlines planning procedures, safety risks and deployment challenges.

The Library said BESS sites support renewable generation by storing excess electricity.

The UK government aims to increase capacity from 4.5 GW in 2024 to up to 27 GW by 2030.

Planning decisions are made by local authorities or ministers, depending on location and capacity.

There are no laws specific to BESS safety, but general fire and health regulations apply.

Two BESS fires have been documented in the UK, in 2020 and 2025.

Thermal runaway is the main fire risk, typically caused by battery damage.

The Library said no public record exists of all BESS incidents in the UK or elsewhere.

Government guidance urges consultation with local fire services during planning.

The Library identified delays, cost and supply chains as deployment barriers.

The UK lacks domestic battery production and relies heavily on imported minerals.

Government strategies published in 2022 and 2023 address these issues.

A cap-and-floor scheme for long-duration energy storage is being introduced.

Ofgem plans to approve initial projects by the second quarter of 2026.

Battery fires in Australia raise safety concerns for big storage projects

by Featured NewsSafety

Fire risk sparks concern as battery project advances in Victoria

Community fire concerns have increased around large-scale battery projects in Australia, according to Renew Economy.

The outlet reported that the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in Victoria has been working with stakeholders such as EnergyAustralia and technology provider Wärtsilä to address risks linked to battery energy storage systems (BESS), especially thermal runaway fires.

While major battery fires remain rare in large systems, CFA representatives attended the sod-turning ceremony of the Wooreen big battery in February, where safety concerns were highlighted by both emergency services and the public.

Opposition has also been voiced in the town of Dederang, where CFA volunteers told ABC’s 7.30 that they lacked the training and equipment to deal with battery fires, which differ in nature and toxicity from grass or scrub fires.

Community concerns have escalated following global incidents, including a major fire at California’s Moss Landing Power Station, which burned through older NMC lithium-ion batteries.

CFA and industry responses to battery fire risks

The CFA said in a December statement that its Specialist Risk and Fire Safety Unit works with developers to ensure fire safety is factored into renewable energy sites.

The authority added that its crews are trained for multiple hazard types, including thermal events involving batteries.

Mishaal SyedNaveed, senior fire protection engineer at Wärtsilä, told Renew Economy that community confidence hinges on trust and open dialogue.

SyedNaveed said: “The first thing is, we’re in this battery project together.

“We’re not here to just dump our technology and leave. We have a long-term service agreements with many of our projects. So we’re in this project together, alongside the operator.”

SyedNaveed explained that firefighting strategies for BESS events differ from conventional approaches and emphasised the importance of defensive, not direct, suppression.

He said: “We have advised a ‘let it burn’ approach, let that fuel consume itself out. And as long as you keep that thermal event contained … into that one spot and don’t let it spread, then that’s not such a concern for the surrounding environment and it’s a manageable event.”

Explaining toxicity concerns and safety testing

Addressing concerns raised by residents about toxic smoke, SyedNaveed said the emissions from BESS fires were chemically similar to household fires.

He stated: “The honest answer is the gas composition in a battery fire is quite similar to that of a house fire.”

He acknowledged the presence of CO2, CO, and hydrogen fluoride in the smoke but noted that household items made of plastics often release similar compounds during fires.

SyedNaveed pointed to regulatory investigations such as the 2023 New York State Safety Working Group findings, which found no evidence of wide-scale spread of toxic materials from BESS fires.

He also explained that BESS designs have evolved, particularly in their use of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, which are more stable than older chemistries such as nickel-manganese-cobalt.

“LFP provides more stability and is less prone to thermal runaway compared to NMC. This was a big lesson learned from the Moss Landing incident,” he said.

Standards, fire modelling and design resilience

SyedNaveed told Renew Economy that fire risk mitigation depends on factors ranging from cell selection to site design.

He noted the role of fire modelling and robust testing protocols, including large-scale simulations where enclosures are deliberately ignited.

“We have done our fire testing from a cell, to a module, to the unit, and even a large-scale test level,” he said.

These tests demonstrated that in simulations, fires could be contained to a single enclosure without triggering thermal events in neighbouring units.

SyedNaveed added that Wärtsilä’s testing goes beyond compliance benchmarks, aiming to model worst-case scenarios to ensure system integrity.

He also noted that in large-scale burn tests, battery systems in adjacent containers continued to operate without interruption.

Multi-layered prevention and community engagement

According to SyedNaveed, prevention is embedded in detection systems that monitor voltage, heat and pressure at the cell level.

He said: “Everything, starting from the actual battery cell – whether there’s a voltage spike, a temperature increase, or there’s some abnormality – can be detected within what we call the battery management system (BMS).”

The BMS communicates with broader energy management systems to provide early alerts of anomalies.

Additional hardware, such as gas and smoke detection, is deployed within the battery enclosures to provide layered monitoring.

Mint Renewables, the developer behind the 200 MW/400 MWh Dederang battery project, told Renew Economy it was aware of public concerns.

Kim van Hattum, Mint Renewables’ interim head of Australia, said: “We remain committed to community engagement and will continue to work hard to reassure the community and the authorities that our project can co-exist safely and provide benefits to the local area and Australia more widely.”

Battery fires in Australia raise safety concerns for big storage projects: Summary

Renew Economy reported on growing concerns in Victoria about battery fires in large energy storage systems.

The CFA is involved in planning for BESS projects, including Wooreen, due to fire safety risks.

Dederang residents and CFA volunteers raised concerns about battery fire toxicity and emergency preparedness on ABC’s 7.30.

Wärtsilä engineer Mishaal SyedNaveed stated that community trust requires open dialogue and clear fire response strategies.

He said defensive fire tactics, not direct suppression, are recommended for lithium-ion battery fires.

He noted that BESS fire emissions are chemically similar to household fires.

SyedNaveed also cited regulatory findings indicating no widespread toxic spread from recent BESS fires.

He explained that newer batteries use more stable chemistries like LFP.

He said robust safety testing simulates worst-case fire scenarios.

Wärtsilä has conducted burn tests showing fires can be contained without spreading.

Detection systems monitor temperature, voltage and gas emissions in real time.

Mint Renewables said it will continue engaging with the community to build confidence in its project.

Kentec targets BESS fire risks in China with regional expansion

by Featured NewsPeopleSafety

Kentec appoints Frank Tan as Asia Pacific Business Development Manager

Kentec has announced a new strategic hire as it expands its fire detection and suppression offering for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in China.

According to Kentec, Frank Tan has been appointed as Business Development Manager for the Asia Pacific region, with a specific focus on growing the company’s presence in the Chinese BESS sector.

Kentec stated that Tan brings over 30 years of experience in fire safety and detection, having previously held roles at Johnson Controls, VESDA, Airsense and SDHY.

Frank Tan to lead regional growth across BESS and detection markets

The company said Tan will lead efforts to strengthen Kentec’s presence across Asia Pacific.

He is a graduate of the University of Science and Technology in Beijing and holds an MBA from Donghua University in Shanghai.

Kentec added that Tan is a Registered Electrical Engineer and Registered Fire Engineer, and a member of the Technical Committee for technical specification for aspirating smoke detection (ASD) fire alarm systems of electrical factories.

Derrick Hall, Director of Sales and Marketing at Kentec, said: “Frank brings invaluable knowledge and experience of the market in China and the wider region, and will help drive Kentec’s growth in the fast-moving battery energy storage sector, where fire presents a considerable risk for BESS operators.”

Kentec develops dedicated fire safety solutions for BESS installations

Kentec reported that its expansion follows increased demand for fire protection solutions in battery storage sites across China, which it described as remote and often unmanned, creating additional challenges for detection and suppression.

The company stated that it has developed a tailored solution to address fire hazards in BESS applications.

According to Kentec, this system includes an early warning function to detect threats in advance and help mitigate the risk of major incidents.

New flammable gas sensor aims to support early hazard identification

Kentec confirmed that it is preparing to launch a flammable gas sensor designed for BESS environments.

It explained that the sensor identifies gases associated with fire risk and functions without requiring calibration throughout its lifespan, helping reduce servicing costs.

The company noted that the sensor integrates with Kentec’s ZXT and other extinguishing and releasing panels to provide alerts when potentially explosive gases are detected.

According to Kentec, this allows operators to act in advance using venting or other control measures before suppression systems are triggered.

Kentec targets BESS fire risks in China with regional expansion: Summary

Kentec has appointed Frank Tan as Business Development Manager for Asia Pacific.

The appointment is part of Kentec’s expansion into the Chinese BESS market.

Tan has over 30 years of experience in fire safety and detection.

He has previously worked at Johnson Controls, VESDA, Airsense and SDHY.

He holds qualifications as a Registered Electrical Engineer and Registered Fire Engineer.

Kentec reported that fire risks in battery storage systems are increasing in China.

The company said many sites are remote and unmanned, raising challenges for fire detection.

Kentec stated that it has developed a solution specific to BESS environments.

It is preparing to launch a flammable gas sensor for early hazard detection.

The sensor integrates with Kentec’s extinguishing and releasing systems.

Kentec confirmed that the sensor does not require calibration over its life span.

The company said the sensor provides early alerts before fire or explosion occurs.

FLIR thermal imaging demand grows amid global battery storage expansion

by Featured NewsSustainabilityThermal Imaging

Thermal cameras used to mitigate battery energy storage system fire risks

FLIR has reported growing demand for its thermal imaging cameras as global installations of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) increase.

The company cited the rise in thermal risks such as fire and toxic gas release as key reasons for the adoption of fixed thermal cameras in energy infrastructure.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), battery capacity in the United States increased by 89 percent in 2024.

FLIR stated that the risk of thermal runaway – where heat spreads from one battery cell to another – presents a growing hazard for fire and rescue teams, energy operators and local communities.

BESS use increases in line with renewable energy investment

FLIR explained that BESS installations are expanding due to their role in balancing the power grid during periods of inconsistent supply and high demand.

The company cited data from S&P Global showing that nearly 9.2 gigawatts of BESS capacity were installed in the United States by late November 2024.

FLIR said that battery systems also support electric vehicle infrastructure by reducing strain on local grids during high-demand charging events.

The company stated that BESS contributes to grid reliability and reduces fossil fuel reliance by storing renewable electricity for later use.

Safety concerns linked to BESS include fire, gas and infrastructure damage

FLIR reported that fire safety concerns are growing due to the increase in BESS deployments.

The company highlighted data from Rho Motion showing that 10.5 gigawatt hours of new capacity were added to the global energy network in February 2025 alone.

FLIR warned that thermal runaway incidents can lead to toxic gas emissions, equipment damage and large-scale fires if not detected and mitigated early.

The company explained that hydrogen fluoride gas, released in some incidents, can present serious health and environmental risks.

FLIR thermal solutions aim to provide early warning of faults

FLIR stated that fixed thermal imaging systems with integrated analytics are being used to detect abnormal temperature rises before they escalate into fires.

The company said these systems are capable of triggering suppression systems and alarm protocols when temperatures breach preset safety thresholds.

FLIR explained that early detection through thermal monitoring can reduce damage, improve safety and support faster emergency response.

The company provides thermal fire prevention systems for a range of industrial applications, including battery energy storage infrastructure.

FLIR thermal imaging demand grows amid global battery storage expansion: Summary

FLIR has reported increased demand for thermal imaging systems.

The company linked this trend to a global rise in Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) installations.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration recorded an 89 percent increase in national capacity during 2024.

According to S&P Global, 9.2 gigawatts of BESS were installed in the United States by late November 2024.

Rho Motion stated that 10.5 gigawatt hours of new capacity were added globally in February 2025.

FLIR cited thermal runaway as a major fire safety risk linked to battery systems.

The company reported that these incidents can cause fires and release hydrogen fluoride gas.

FLIR said its fixed thermal cameras are used to detect temperature increases before failures occur.

The company stated that these systems can activate alarms and fire suppression systems automatically.

FLIR explained that early detection improves safety and reduces response time.