May 2024 Chapter Meeting: Design for Lithium-Ion Battery Charging in the Built Environment

Topic: Design for Lithium-Ion Battery Charging in the Built Environment

Many of us have seen the videos on social media of lithium batteries fires. Whether it’s in an e-bike or scooter charging within an apartment, a flood-damaged Tesla on the street, or a spare laptop battery on a plane, these events can be quite stunning with many resulting in significant losses–in time, material and even life. As electrification gains ground, there are increasing opportunities to design for battery charging systems within the built environment. Current code and standard (e.g., ASHRAE’s Guideline 21, NFPA 855, 2018 IMC, etc.) cycles appear pushed to keep pace with advancing technologies.

This talk will present such design challenges (HVAC centered yet touching other aspects–Architectural, Life Safety, etc.) for a campus-style automated and electrified factory utilizing Lithium-Ion industrial trucks, automatic guided vehicles, lifts, buggies, etc. The factory includes three discrete buildings dedicated to charging as well as multiple charging stations within many of the remaining 22 buildings, all connected by a covered roadway. Discussion will focus on design challenges and some of the conflicts unearthed within and between codes, standards, federal design criteria, and current technologies.

Presenter: Doug Cage, PE | Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Mason & Hanger