Key milestone of R&D project celebrated on Oct 8 with partners Jeonnam Technopark (JNTP), Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI), and Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH)
SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- VINSSEN Co., Ltd, a maritime decarbonization technology specialist focused on hydrogen fuel cells and integrated propulsion systems, held a launch ceremony on October 8 to mark the start of hull construction of a 17.4m leisure boat. The boat, which can accommodate up to 10 passengers, has a maximum speed of 20 knots powered by a 600kW propulsion system incorporating hydrogen fuel cells and high-voltage batteries developed by VINSSEN. Design approval has already been issued by Korea Marine Traffic Safety Authority (KOMSA), establishing it as the first leisure boat of its kind in the country.
VINSSEN first received special approval from Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy to proceed with the R&D Project" in 2023. The project, officially titled "Demonstration of the Charging and Operation of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Boat", is conducted in collaboration with JNTP, KOMERI, and KITECH. Specifically, JNTP will provide technical and regulatory sandbox execution support, KOMERI will conduct hull stability assessment hydrogen fuel cell system performance evaluation, and KITECH will share hull welding technology and quality management expertise.
As part of this initiative, VINSSEN, with the support of Jeollanam-do and Yeongam-gun, plans to construct hydrogen fuel cell leisure boats during the demonstration period based on the establishment of a safe testing environment. Additionally, the company will install a moorage facility in Yeongam-gun, and set up and operate a specialized mobile package-type hydrogen charging station that incorporates differentiated monitoring technology.
Chil Han LEE, the CEO at VINSSEN, stated, "This R&D project is essential to eventually achieving carbon neutrality and improving the maritime environment in Korea." He added, "Through this project, we will continue to accelerate safe and efficient eco-friendly maritime mobility technologies." With the project, VINSSEN aims to promote the widespread adoption of hydrogen power in Korea and beyond as a more sustainable solution.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
VINSSEN Holds Ship Construction Kick-off Ceremony of Hydrogen-Powered Leisure Boat
HEFEI, China, Nov. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In June 2024, Sungrow took the bold step of deliberately combusting the 10MWh of its PowerTitan 1.0 liquid-cooled battery energy storage system (BESS), becoming the first company globally to conduct a large-scale burn test on an energy storage system. Recently, the company invested approximately 4.23 million USD[1] to perform the world's largest and longest burn test on 20MWh of its PowerTitan 2.0 liquid-cooled BESS.
These two burn tests conducted within six months underscore Sungrow's commitment to technological innovation, its relentless pursuit of product quality, and its unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety of both personnel and assets at energy storage plants. Meanwhile, the test represents Sungrow's steadfast commitment to upholding the safety baseline for the energy storage industry.
The 20MWh burn test replicated a real-world power plant fire scenario, completed under the oversight of DNV (Det Norske Veritas) experts and over 100 clients, and delivered results exceeding expectations. The results were clear: there was no fire propagation during the thermal runaway incident. In contrast to conventional industry burn tests, this test was a significant upgrade in terms of combustion duration, testing conditions, and safety standards, establishing a new benchmark for safety through rigorous and extreme testing.
Challenge 1:
Withstanding Over 25 Hours of Combustion, Proving Superior System Protection Capability
Unlike common industry-standard combustion tests within 4 to 8 hours, this challenging test was designed to sustain for 3 to 6 times longer. After continuous burning within 25 hours and 43 minutes, the container structure of the thermal runaway unit remained intact, and the system could still be safely hoisted for removal. Importantly, the fire did not spread beyond the unit, demonstrating the PowerTitan 2.0's advanced explosion venting, flame retardancy, and impact resistance capabilities.
Challenge 2:
Enduring Temperatures High Enough to Melt Steel, Verifying Thermal Runaway Containment
To simulate extreme operating conditions, four fully-charged energy storage units were arrayed nearby -- containers A and B were only 15 cm apart, which is the absolute minimum distance permitted in the industry (most power plant containers are spaced 3 meters apart). Despite the flames from container A reaching 1,385°C -- temperatures high enough to melt steel -- the fire did not spread to the neighboring container B, which maintained a safe temperature of 40°C. This result validates the PowerTitan 2.0's superior fire insulation ability, even when the units are placed in extremely close quarters.
Challenge 3:
Testing Fire Resistance and Flame Retardancy Without Firefighting Protection
In this phase of the test, all firefighting systems for the BESS containers were intentionally shut off, leaving the units unprotected and significantly increasing the safety risks. Despite this, the PowerTitan 2.0 performed admirably, with all four storage container doors remaining intact and not burned through. The fire was effectively contained within the container, and the damage was limited. This demonstrated the BESS's ability to autonomously respond to extreme fire situations, highlighting the robust passive fire protection design that minimizes risk.
Safety is the cornerstone of the energy storage industry. Sungrow's two consecutive, high-investment, extremely large-scale burn tests on the PowerTitan series reflect the company's unwavering commitment to safeguarding personnel, assets, and operations at power plants, as well as its dedication to reinforcing the safety standards for the entire industry. The success of this rigorous and high-standard combustion test sets a new benchmark for safety in the energy storage sector, providing valuable real-world evidence for future safety protocols.
[1] 30 million CNY (approximately 4.23 million USD at an exchange rate of 7.1 CNY to 1 USD).
About Sungrow
Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 27 years. As of June 2024, Sungrow has installed 605 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world's No. 1 on PV inverter shipments (S&P Global Commodity Insights) and the most bankable Asian energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects in over 170 countries, supported by a network of 490 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we're committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit www.sungrowpower.com.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Setting a New Safety Benchmark for the Industry: Sungrow Achieves Success in the World's Largest BESS Fire Test
