28th May 2021
HSE has commissioned new facilities for the abuse
testing of lithium ion batteries at its Science and Research Centre
in Buxton, Derbyshire.
With dedicated high-speed photography and thermal camera
imaging, the new facilities offer immediate capacity in the UK for
specialised battery abuse testing.
HSE has also invested in the expansion of their original
facilities, resulting in a threefold increase in capacity.
Clients visiting the new and expanded facilities will also
benefit from access to improved visitor welfare provision.
Above - Interior photograph of one of HSE's battery testing
chambers
HSE is gaining a well-deserved reputation as the testing partner
of choice in understanding the safety implications when lithium ion
batteries fail.
Under the technical leadership of Jonathan Buston, HSE, through
its Research and Consultancy services, is inputting to a number of
key industry projects, and recently helped to successfully
deliver LIBRIS, a Faraday Battery Challenge funded
project led by Jaguar Land Rover, which set out to understand the
implications of a phenomenon known as thermal runaway and how it
can be triggered, suppressed, contained and detected.
HSE's work in LIBRIS, along with a portfolio of other battery
fire research programmes, has established Jonathan and his
multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers as leading
authorities in lithium ion battery safety, whose knowledge is
invaluable for designing-in safety as part of the safe deployment
of electrified vehicle and energy storage technologies.
Above - External photograph of one of HSE's battery testing
chambers
Investment in UK battery abuse testing facilities will be
welcome news to the industry. With the recent announcement that the
UK intends to meet 78% of its net zero targets by 2035, there will
be a renewed impetus to accelerate the deployment of
electrification for vehicles and energy storage.
Commenting on HSE's recent investment, Jonathan Buston said:
'It's very timely. The move towards electrification, especially for
transport, is gathering pace. However, for electric vehicles to be
embraced by the general public, battery technology must be safe.
HSE Research and Consultancy is playing a vital role in
understanding how vehicle electrification be developed, scaled-up
and deployed so that the switch to electric vehicles is a safe
one'.
To discuss how you can benefit from access to HSE's specialist
facilities for battery abuse testing, please contact Jonathan
Buston by e-mailing jonathan.buston@hse.gov.uk