To determine the flammability of a chemical, you must consider its flash point, auto-ignition temperature and flammability limits.

Battery storage technology has a key part to play in ensuring homes and businesses can be powered by green energy, even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind has stopped blowing.

Concentrations of flammable vapours which fall below the lower flammability limit will not be sufficient enough for the chemical to ignite.

Battery storage, or battery energy storage systems (BESS), are devices that enable energy from renewables, like solar and wind, to be stored and then released when the power is needed most.

Every day engineers at National Grid and electricity grids worldwide must match supply with demand. Managing these peaks and troughs becomes more challenging when the target is to achieve net zero carbon production. Fossil-fuel fired plants have traditionally been used to manage these peaks and troughs, but battery energy storage facilities can replace a portion of these so-called peaking power generators over time.

For example, the UK has the largest installed capacity of offshore wind in the world, but the ability to capture this energy and purposefully deploy it can increase the value of this clean energy; by increasing production and potentially reducing costs.

Any combustible substance will burn if it’s subjected to enough heat. The lowest temperature at which a flammable or combustible liquid will ignite — and continue to combust without the presence of a spark or flame — is defined as the auto-ignition temperature.

Lithium ion battery storageBag

The upper flammability limit is the highest concentration of flammable vapours that will ignite in the presence of an ignition source.

Battery storage technologies are essential to speeding up the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy. Battery storage systems will play an increasingly pivotal role between green energy supplies and responding to electricity demands.

IMPORTANT: When storing Class 3 Flammable Liquids you must ensure that you are reducing the risk of fire, explosion, asphyxiation and human harm. Only chemical cabinets and stores that have been manufactured to meet the requirements of Australian Standard AS 1940:2017 will provide adequate protection from chemical hazards.

Last updated: 9 May 2023The information in this article is intended as a factual explainer and does not necessarily reflect National Grid's strategic direction or current business activities.

lithium-ionbattery storagecontainers

Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in mobile phones and electric cars, are currently the dominant storage technology for large scale plants to help electricity grids ensure a reliable supply of renewable energy. We’ve begun deploying this technology with heavier equipment, working with Viridi Parente – a company that makes battery storage systems for industrial, commercial and residential buildings.

To determine the flash point of a flammable liquid, the chemical is often exposed to a spark. A spark can have a temperature anywhere between 1000 - 1600 °C.

Is it safe to storelithiumbatteries in the house

Flammable substances are defined as substances that will ignite and continue to burn when brought into contact with an ignition source. Flammable substances can exist in a solid, liquid or gaseous state.

Substances which, by interaction with water, are liable to become spontaneously flammable or to give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities.

We’ll now go into further detail about the different Dangerous Goods classes of flammable substances, so you can understand the volatility (and potential risks) of each different chemical class.

Prescott Hartshorne says: “The next decade will be big for energy storage in general and for batteries in particular. It will be an important proving time for batteries and for other technologies.”

Lithium-ionbattery storagecapacity

When you’re dealing with Dangerous Goods, there are many physical and chemical properties that you must consider if you’re to ensure the safe handling and storage of these substances. One of the most commonly-used chemicals, found in workplaces across Australia and the globe, are chemicals known as flammable substances. These Dangerous Goods are recognised for their ability to ignite and burn when they are brought into contact with an ignition source. Because of the flammable nature of these hazardous substances, extreme caution must be taken if your business is carrying this type of chemical. In this blog, we’re explaining everything you need to know about flammable substances,  including their flash point, auto-ignition temperature and flammability limits. We’ll also look at the various classes of flammable substances and explain their unique chemical properties, so you can better understand the risks associated with their use.

As we’ve discussed in this blog, flammable substances come in many different forms. Whether it be solids, liquids or gases, all flammable substances pose risks upon the people, property and the environment of your organisation. To reduce the risks associated with the handling and storage of flammable substances, it’s vital that staff, supervisors and contractors are familiar with their dangerous chemical properties. By having a good understanding of the flammable substances that your business is using, you’ll be able to implement risk control measures to reduce the potential for fire, flashback, explosion, human harm and environmental damage. Would you like more information on how to reduce the risk of flammable liquids? You can quickly access our free eBook by clicking on the below image. Download it and read it today to learn more about reducing the risks associated with flammable liquids.

Best voltage to store lithium-ion batteries

The flash point of a liquid is the temperature at which a flammable liquid will give off enough flammable vapours to ignite in the presence of an ignition source. This point will depend on the volatility of the substance. Petrol, which is very volatile, has a flashpoint of -43 °C, while the kerosene, which is less volatile, has a flashpoint between 37 - 65 °C.

Storage of renewable energy requires low-cost technologies that have long lives – charging and discharging thousands of times – are safe and can store enough energy cost effectively to match demand.

The lower flammability limit is the lowest concentration of flammable vapours that are required for the mixture to ignite in the presence of an ignition source.

Generally, the auto-ignition temperature of a hydrocarbon will decrease with an increase in molecular mass. This is different to the flashpoint of a substance which decreases with decrease in molecular mass.

(ii) have a flammable range with air of at least 12 percentage points regardless of the lower flammable limit. Flammability should be determined by tests or by calculation in accordance with methods adopted by ISO (see ISO 10156: 1996). Where insufficient data are available to use these methods, tests by a comparable method recognized by the competent authority may be used;

how to store lithium-ion batteries when not in use

(b) substances that are transported or offered for transport at elevated temperatures in a liquid state and which give off a flammable vapour at a temperature at or below the maximum transport temperature.

Lithium-ion batteries were developed by a British scientist in the 1970s and were first used commercially by Sony in 1991, for the company’s handheld video recorder. While they’re currently the most economically viable energy storage solution, there are a number of other technologies for battery storage currently being developed. These include:

The difference between flash point and auto-ignition temperature, is that the flash point is the point in which a flammable liquid will ignite with an unlimited temperature. On the other hand, auto-ignition temperature is defined as the lowest temperature at which a substance will ignite and continue to combust.

Battery energy storage systems are considerably more advanced than the batteries you keep in your kitchen drawer or insert in your children’s toys. A battery storage system can be charged by electricity generated from renewable energy, like wind and solar power.

Flammable liquids are liquids, or mixtures of liquids, or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension (for example, paints, varnishes, lacquers, etc., but not including substances otherwise classified on account of their dangerous characteristics) which give off a flammable vapour at temperatures of not more than 60 °C, closed-cup test, or not more than 65.6 °C, open-cup test, normally referred to as the flash point. This class also includes:

This article is concerned with large-scale battery storage systems, but domestic energy storage systems work on the same principles.

Substances which are liable to spontaneous heating under normal conditions encountered in transport, or to heating up in contact with air, and being then liable to catch fire.

The ADG Code divides Class 4 Flammable Solids into 3 subdivisions. Let’s have a look at each of these subdivisions in detail below:

Lithium battery storagepercentage

Flammable liquids are highly volatile chemicals. This means that they evaporate and give of flammable vapours at low temperatures. This is due to the forces of attraction between flammable liquid molecules; as they are relatively weak, very little heat energy is required to break these forces and cause the molecules to escape as gases.

The Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code classifies flammable gases, liquids and solids into 3 different classes of Dangerous Goods.

The flash point of a flammable liquid is the lowest temperature at which the liquid will emit enough flammable vapours to ignite.

Solids which, under conditions encountered in transport, are readily combustible or may cause or contribute to fire through friction; self-reactive substances which are liable to undergo a strongly exothermic reaction; solid desensitized explosives which may explode if not diluted sufficiently.

The UK government estimates technologies like battery storage systems – supporting the integration of more low-carbon power, heat and transport technologies – could save the UK energy system up to £40 billion ($48 billion) by 2050, ultimately reducing people’s energy bills.

However, it’s important to understand the factors involved with determining the flammability of a substance. When defining a flammable substance as a gas, liquid or solid, there are a range of factors which must be considered.

Intelligent battery software uses algorithms to coordinate energy production and computerised control systems are used to decide when to store energy or to release it to the grid. Energy is released from the battery storage system during times of peak demand, keeping costs down and electricity flowing.

Joining the team as a Dangerous Goods Storage Consultant, Melissa Hampton became Storemasta's Marketing Manager in late 2021. With extensive knowledge and experience in chemical compliance, Melissa is responsible for leading the Marketing team and helping shape their marketing strategy. In her spare time, you can find Melissa hiking, swimming and enjoying the great outdoors in beautiful north-west Tasmania.

Prescott Hartshorne, a Director at National Grid Ventures in the US, says: “Storage enables further renewable generation, both from an operational and reliability perspective. It’s also a key piece of our utility customers’ ongoing evolution and transition to renewables.”

Most flammable liquids are highly volatile chemicals which emit hazardous vapours. When these vapours mix with air, they form a flammable mixture that easily ignites in the presence of an ignition source — such as a naked flame, pilot light, hot surface or power point.

Lithium-ionbattery storagetemperature

If the concentration of flammable vapours exceeds the UFL, there will not be enough oxygen present for the mixture to ignite and continue to combust.

For Class 3 Flammable Liquids to ignite and continue to burn, there must be a certain concentration of flammable vapours present in the air.