SafeBESS: Technology and building design for safe operation of battery energy storage systems

Doctoral Candidate Cristina Sanfeliu Meliá from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering defended her PhD thesis, "Fire Safety of Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage Systems in Buildings: Experimental and Case-Based Investigations," for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at NTNU's Faculty of Engineering.

The thesis addresses one of the key challenges associated with the growing deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS): how to ensure safe integration of lithium-ion batteries in the built environment. Through experimental studies and case-based investigations, the research provides valuable insights into fire safety risks and mitigation measures for energy storage installations in buildings.

Prior to the defense, Sanfeliu Meliá delivered a trial lecture on "Fire Spread in a Compartment: Flame Spread over Solids," demonstrating her broad expertise within fire safety engineering and fire dynamics.

A Collaborative Research Effort

The doctoral work was conducted as part of the SafeBESS project, a collaborative initiative bringing together expertise from SINTEF Energy Research, RISE Fire Research, SINTEF Community, and NTNU. The project aims to strengthen the knowledge base needed for the safe implementation of battery energy storage systems as society moves toward increased electrification and renewable energy integration.

SafeBESS has benefited from strong engagement from both industry and public-sector partners, including Siemens Energy, Ramboll, ReCube, Prevent Systems, Fire Eater, Siemens, Oslobygg KF, Equinor, If, Fremtind, Aneo Build, Forsvarsbygg, and the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB). Financial support from the Research Council of Norway has been instrumental in enabling the project and its research activities.

Assessment Committee and Supervision

The Faculty of Engineering appointed the following assessment committee for the evaluation of the thesis:

• Professor Francesco Restuccia, King's College London, United Kingdom (First Opponent)
• Dr. Jonna Hynynen, Chalmers Industriteknik, Sweden (Second Opponent)
• Professor Mohamed Hamdy, NTNU (Committee Administrator)

The committee concluded that the thesis was worthy of public defense and the award of the PhD degree.

The research was supervised by:

• Professor Anne Elise Steen-Hansen, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, NTNU (Main Supervisor)
• Professor Gabriele Lobaccaro, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, NTNU (Co-supervisor)
• Researcher Christoph Meraner, RISE Fire Research (Co-supervisor)

Advancing Battery Safety Knowledge

The successful completion of this PhD represents an important contribution to the field of battery safety and fire protection engineering. As battery energy storage systems become increasingly important for supporting a low-carbon energy system, research-based knowledge on fire risks, building integration, and safety measures is essential for ensuring safe and sustainable deployment.

The defense also highlights the value of long-term collaboration between universities, research institutes, industry partners, and public authorities in addressing complex societal challenges.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Cristina Sanfeliu Meliá on this significant achievement and look forward to continued collaboration in her role at SINTEF Community.