Description

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Areas

EK Engineering develops industrial-grade BESS solutions engineered for deployment at both hazardous and non-hazardous environments, with system architecture, safety philosophy, and compliance scope defined on a project-requirement basis according to international standards.

BESS for Hazardous Areas (Zone 1 & Zone 2)

Hazardous area certified BESS units are engineered for locations where flammable gases, vapours, or combustible dust may be present under normal or abnormal operating conditions.

System design addresses ignition prevention, energy containment, and controlled operation through certified equipment and protective measures.

Design considerations include:

• Compliance with ATEX / IECEx area classification requirements
• Explosion-proof or pressurised enclosures with purge and monitoring systems
• Certified electrical and control components
• Integrated gas detection and fire mitigation systems
• Controlled ventilation and thermal management

Typical applications:

• Oil & gas facilities

• Refineries and petrochemical plants

• Chemical and process industries

• Mining and bulk material handling installations

BESS for Non-Hazardous Areas

For non-hazardous environments, BESS systems are designed to optimise performance, scalability, and lifecycle efficiency while maintaining a high level of operational safety. These systems are commonly deployed in grid-connected, renewable, and industrial power applications.

Design considerations include:

• Industrial or outdoor-rated containerised enclosures
• High-efficiency power conversion and energy management systems
• Air-cooled or liquid-cooled thermal management
• Optimised layout for installation, access, and maintenance

Typical applications:

• Utility-scale energy storage
• Renewable energy plants (solar and wind)
• Microgrids and off-grid power systems
• Data centres and critical infrastructure
• Commercial and industrial facilities

System Architecture and Functional Scope

BESS solutions are developed as integrated systems comprising electrical, mechanical, control, and safety subsystems.

Key architectural elements include:

• Modular energy storage capacity from 50 kWh to 1000 kWh
• Lithium-ion battery technologies (LFP or NMC)
• Battery Management System (BMS) for cell and module supervision
• Power Conversion System (PCS) supporting grid-forming or grid-following operation
• Energy Management System (EMS) with SCADA integration
• Thermal management and ventilation systems
• Fire detection and suppression systems
• Remote monitoring and diagnostic capabilities

System configuration is defined based on project requirements, installation environment, and applicable standards and compliance.

Technical Specifications:

Other Key Specifications:

Standards, Compliance and Regulatory Framework

BESS systems are designed and fabricated in accordance with required applicable international and regional standards.
Standards typically considered include:

• ATEX / IECEx (hazardous area installations)
• IEC 60079 series
• IEC and IEEE electrical and grid interconnection standards
• UL / NFPA standards, where applicable
• NFPA 855 safety
• Local electrical, fire, and safety regulations

Application Scope:

• • Commercial & Industrial storage, low energy costs in areas with big peak-to-valley price differences or negative prices.
  • Microgrid system – Solar, storage and diesel generator combined microgrid
  • Solar Storage Charging – Integrate solar, storage, and charging stations to provide green and low-carbon energy.
  • Mobile power supply – construction, makeshift site, remote location, off-grid locations
  • Oil & gas facilities
  • Refineries and petrochemical plant
  • Chemical and process industries
  • Mining and bulk material handling installations
  • Grid stabilisation and frequency regulation
  • Renewable energy integration
  • Peak shaving and load management
  • Industrial process continuity

Engineering Approach and Project Capability

BESS customised solutions are design engineered with a project-specific engineering methodology, rather than a fixed off-the-shelf configuration.

Design & Engineering scope typically includes:

• Area classification review and risk assessment
• Definition of applicable standards and certification requirements
• Electrical system design and protection coordination
• Enclosure and thermal management engineering
• Fire detection and mitigation strategy
• Integration with site electrical systems and control platforms
• Documentation to support installation, operation, and compliance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What makes a BESS suitable for hazardous areas?
Hazardous area BESS systems use explosion-proof or pressurised enclosures, certified components, gas detection, and fire suppression systems to prevent ignition in flammable environments.

Can the same BESS platform be used for hazardous and non-hazardous areas?
Yes. The core BESS architecture is modular and can be configured with different enclosures, certifications, and safety systems depending on site classification.

Is this BESS suitable for global deployment?
Yes. Systems are engineered to comply with international standards and can be localized to meet country-specific regulatory requirements.

What capacity ranges are available?
We offer BESS solutions from small commercial systems to large multi-kilowatt utility-scale installations.