Hanwha, SK develop world’s 1st non-flammable ESS for ships

Hanwha Aerospace and SK Enmove announced they are testing the world’s first fire prevention technology for marine ESS. [Courtesy of SK Innovation Co.]

South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace Co. and SK enmove Co. developed a technology that prevents fires in energy storage systems (ESS) using liquid immersion cooling, a method that has the potential to expand into other battery-using fields such as electric vehicles.

The duo announced on Tuesday that they developed the world’s first technology to completely prevent fires by filling lithium-ion battery modules with cooling fluid. Initially developed for use in ESS for ships, the technology is currently being supplied to electric-powered vessels under the supervision of the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering, where demonstration tests are being conducted.

Liquid immersion cooling is a technique that absorbs heat by immersing heat-generating electronic devices in a non-conductive liquid with high thermal conductivity.

The immersion cooling ESS developed by the two companies fills the battery modules with cooling fluid to prevent fires.

Fires in batteries typically escalate when thermal runaway in one cell spreads to others, but by fully filling the ESS with cooling fluid, the technology blocks the transfer of heat to other cells. The cooling fluid, unlike conventional air-cooled or liquid-cooled systems, has properties between liquid and gas, effectively blocking the intrusion of external dust and salt.

Korean lube oil maker SK enmove explained that this technology prevents electricity from flowing within the module and eliminates the risk of damage to the ESS, thereby eliminating the possibility of fire. Hanwha Aerospace Co. and SK enmove have been collaborating since 2023, focusing on developing safe and eco-friendly ESS for ships.

ESS used in ships requires high technical expertise as battery safety is greatly affected by physical conditions such as waves. The technology using cooling fluid has been recognized for its excellence, with its key model, “SEAL,” receiving certification from major global institutions such as Det Norske Veritas and the Korean Register.