Visit by to BRE by Allianz
25th June 2012
The fire risks of renewable energy
generation
Martin Shipp
Technical Development Director
Fire Safety, BRE Global
Part of the BRE Trust
SUN
What is Global Warming?
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ATMOSPHERE
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Security of energy supplies
– In the UK, an increasing amount of energy is being imported
from overseas. By increasing the amount of energy
produced from renewable sources, then the dependence of
the UK to imports is reduced.
Security of energy supplies
– In the UK, an increasing amount of energy is being imported
from overseas. By increasing the amount of energy
produced from renewable sources, then the dependence of
the UK to imports is reduced.
– Gradual depletion of North Sea oil and gas means that the
UK needs to import fuel to meet most of its energy demand.
Global increases in energy demand and geopolitical issues
associated with the supply of energy across national borders
have caused steep increases in fuel prices.
Security of energy supplies
– In the UK, an increasing amount of energy is being imported
from overseas. By increasing the amount of energy
produced from renewable sources, then the dependence of
the UK to imports is reduced.
– Gradual depletion of North Sea oil and gas means that the
UK needs to import fuel to meet most of its energy demand.
Global increases in energy demand and geopolitical issues
associated with the supply of energy across national borders
have caused steep increases in fuel prices.
– A quarter of all households in England and Wales now
meeting the definition of fuel poverty i.e. spending 10% or
more of their net income to provide a warm and comfortable
environment.
Introduction
– The UK government has committed to a legal binding
target of cutting greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050.
This requires that the electricity generating sector must
largely decarbonise by 2030.
Introduction
– The UK government has committed to a legal binding
target of cutting greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050.
This requires that the electricity generating sector must
largely decarbonise by 2030.
– In recent years this has resulted in a large growth of
low carbon renewable energy sources being used to
produce electricity. This transition in new services,
technologies and industries provides an ideal
opportunity for innovation and the development of new
businesses.
Introduction
– The government wants the UK to be a world leader in
this sector and predictions by HM Treasury estimate
the sector could be worth £150 billion by 2015 in the
UK alone.
– Through direct support the government intends to build
a supply chain in this sector and is committed to
sourcing 15% of its energy from renewable sources by
2020, an increase of a factor of seven on 2008.
Introduction
– However, evidence is emerging from Europe and North
America of fire problems associated with renewable
energy power generating systems such as photovoltaics and wind turbines.
Introduction
– However, evidence is emerging from Europe and North
America of fire problems associated with renewable
energy power generating systems such as photovoltaics and wind turbines.
– These fires present unique challenges for the fire
service, building occupiers and insurers.
Introduction
– The aim of this presentation is to provide a summary of
the different types of occurrences and potential fire
hazards these types of systems present, along with the
issues fires in such systems can present in terms of
fire-fighting, environmental pollution and the impact on
the building occupants.
Introduction
– The aim of this presentation is to provide a summary of
the different types of occurrences and potential fire
hazards these types of systems present, along with the
issues fires in such systems can present in terms of
fire-fighting, environmental pollution and the impact on
the building occupants.
– By highlighting the key factors and consequences
involved from fires in renewable power generation the
lessons learned can be used for forward planning and
then applied to the UK market.
What are renewable energy technologies?
– Renewable energy is considered to be energy which
comes from “natural resources” such as light from the
sun, the wind, rain, tides, and ground (geothermal)
heat, all of which are which are naturally replenished
since their source is either the sun (solar energy,
wind), the moon (tidal energy) or the Earth (geothermal
energy).
– It is presumed that such energy sources will never run
out and can constantly be “replaced”.
What are renewable energy technologies?
– Biofuels
(produces heat and/or electricity)
– Biogas
(produces heat and/or electricity)
– Biomass (produces heat and/or electricity)
– Bioenergy crops
– Co-firing (produces electricity)
– Geothermal (produces heat)
– Heat pumps
– Ground source heat pumps (produces heat)
– Air source heat pumps (produces heat)
– Water source heat pumps (produces heat)
– Hydro-electric (produces electricity)
– Hydrogen for transport (produces motive power and/or
electricity)
What are renewable energy technologies?
– Landfill gas(produces electricity)
– Meat and Bone Meal(produces electricity)
– Solar electric/ Photovoltaics (PV) (produces electricity)
– Solar thermal (Active solar) (produces heat)
– Tidal/ Wave(produces electricity)
– Waste Derived Fuel(produces electricity)
– Waste to energy
– Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Refuse Derived Fuel
(RDF) (produces electricity)
– Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) production (produces
electricity)
– Tyres (Tyre Derived Fuel) (produces electricity)
– Wind (on-shore and off-shore) (produces electricity)
What are renewable energy technologies?
– Landfill gas(produces electricity)
– Meat and Bone Meal(produces electricity)
– Solar electric/ Photovoltaics (PV) (produces electricity)
– Solar thermal (Active solar) (produces heat)
– Tidal/ Wave(produces electricity)
– Waste Derived Fuel(produces electricity)
– Waste to energy
– Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF)
(produces electricity)
– Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) production (produces electricity)
– Tyres (Tyre Derived Fuel) (produces electricity)
– Wind (on-shore and off-shore) (produces electricity)
– Nuclear energy?
– Carbon capture?
Electricity can cause fires
Fire Statistics; electrical fires
All dwelling fires: proportion of electrical and non-electrical fires
electrical fires
electrical fires
chip/fat pan fires
chip/fat pan
fires
other fires
other fires
All dwelling fires: proportion of electrical and non-electrical fires .
Fire Statistics; electrical fires
Electrical fires in dwellings: proportion of fires due to different causes
faulty fuel supply
faulty lead
faulty fuel supply
faulty appliance
faulty lead
misuse
faulty appliance
misuse
play or carelessness
play or carelessness
heat source too close
heat source
too close
other cause
other cause
Electrical fires in dwellings: proportion of fires due to different causes
Electric cookers
Microwave cooker
Other electric cooking appliance
Fire Statistics; electrical fires
Electric space heater
Electric
central
Electrical fires in dwellings, proportion of fires from different items
first ignited
heating
Electric water heating
Electric welding & cutting appliances
Electric blowlamp
Electric cookers
Microwave cooker
Washing machine
Other electric cooking appliance
Electric space heater
Dishwasher
Electric central heating
Refrigerator
Electric water heating
Electric welding & cutting appliances
Tumble driers
Electric blowlamp
Spin driers
Washing machine
Lighting Dishwasher
Refrigerator
Blanket Tumble
or bedwarmer
driers
Spin driers
Television
Lighting
Iron
Blanket or bedwarmer
Television
Audio visual
Iron
Audio
Computer
orvisual
VDU
Computer or VDU
Kettle,Urn,etc
Kettle,Urn,etc
Other electrical
Other electrical
Electrical fires in dwellings, proportion of fires from different items first ignited
Many new sustainable/environmentally friendly
technologies have fire safety implications
• Do all new technologies introduce
new fire risks?
Many new sustainable/environmentally friendly
technologies have fire safety implications
• Do all new technologies introduce
new fire risks?
• Do all new technologies that handle
energy introduce new fire risks?
Biofuels
– Biofuels include fuels produced by the conversion of
biomass, and includes solid biomass, liquid fuels and
various biogases.
– Bioethanol is an alcohol. It is made by fermentation,
primarily using carbohydrates produced in sugar or
starch crops such as corn or sugarcane.
– Cellulosic biomass is derived from non-food sources
such as trees and grasses and is in addition used as a
feedstock for ethanol production.
Biofuels
– Ethanol is used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure form, but more
commonly it is a gasoline additive which increases the octane
rating and reduces vehicle emissions.
– Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils and animal fats (e.g.
from chip fat). It is used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure form, but
it is more commonly used as a diesel additive since it reduces the
levels of particulates, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons
produced by diesel-powered vehicles.
– Biodiesel is made from oils or fats using transesterification; it is
the most common biofuel used in Europe. (There are legal
restrictions on the quantity of recycled bio-diesel that an individual
is permitted to produce.)
Biofuels
Fire risks:
– Little difference between “normal” petrol and diesel and their biosubstitutes.
Biofuels
Fire risks:
– Little difference between “normal” petrol and diesel and their biosubstitutes.
– Concerns have been raised regarding DIY conversions to
vehicles, and the need to maintain quality, since there was a spate
of road vehicle fires in the 1980s linked to DIY conversions to
unleaded petrol.
Biofuels
Fire risks:
– Little difference between “normal” petrol and diesel and their biosubstitutes.
– Concerns have been raised regarding DIY conversions to
vehicles, and the need to maintain quality, since there was a spate
of road vehicle fires in the 1980s linked to DIY conversions to
unleaded petrol.
– In general, ethanol and bio-ethanol are less hazardous than petrol
in terms of their flash point temperatures and explosion limits;
although bio-diesel equates to diesel in terms of fire behaviour.
Biofuels
Fire risks:
– Little difference between “normal” petrol and diesel and their biosubstitutes.
– Concerns have been raised regarding DIY conversions to
vehicles, and the need to maintain quality, since there was a spate
of road vehicle fires in the 1980s linked to DIY conversions to
unleaded petrol.
– In general, ethanol and bio-ethanol are less hazardous than petrol
in terms of their flash point temperatures and explosion limits;
although bio-diesel equates to diesel in terms of fire behaviour.
– Process plants producing biofuels need to comply with the
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
(DSEAR), as well as the Fire Safety Order (FSO), with the main
requirement being to conduct an explosion risk assessment and
hazardous area zoning exercise.
Biomass
– Biomass is the collective name for substances which have
grown from animal or vegetable matter which can be used to
generate energy. The material may have been specifically
grown to be used as a fuel or it may be a waste product from
a manufacturing process that can be utilised as a fuel due to
it having sufficient calorific value, i.e. it can release enough
energy for it to be economic to be used as a fuel.
Biomass
– Biomass is the collective name for substances which have
grown from animal or vegetable matter which can be used to
generate energy. The material may have been specifically
grown to be used as a fuel or it may be a waste product from
a manufacturing process that can be utilised as a fuel due to
it having sufficient calorific value, i.e. it can release enough
energy for it to be economic to be used as a fuel.
– Although biomass produces CO 2 when it burns, the energy
obtained from biomass materials when used as a fuel is
considered to be renewable since it releases CO 2 taken up
from the earth’s atmosphere over a short time-scale. It thus
can make significant greenhouse gas emissions savings
compared with fossil fuels, which release CO 2 that has been
taken up and stored beneath the earth over many millions of
years.
Biomass
– Biomass can be used directly to generate power, produce
heat or used in combined heat and power plants. It may also
be used indirectly in the production of other fuels for
transport and other applications, such as biomethane.
Biomass
– Biomass can be used directly to generate power, produce
heat or used in combined heat and power plants. It may also
be used indirectly in the production of other fuels for
transport and other applications, such as biomethane.
– Biomass covers numerous different materials such as:
– Wood fuel (pellets, chips logs and forestry material)
– Waste derived fuel (sewage sludge)
– Biogas (methane)
– Meat and Bone Meal (MBM)
– Co-firing materials (palm kernels, cereals, sawdust)
– Bioenergy crops (miscanthus, switchgrass, hemp)
– Landfill gas
Biomass
Biomass
Biomass
Fire risks
– There are a number of potential fire hazards associated with
biomass boiler systems which include both the materials
used as the fuel and the equipment with potential risks to
people, property and business.
Biomass
Fire risks
– There are a number of potential fire hazards associated with
biomass boiler systems which include both the materials
used as the fuel and the equipment with potential risks to
people, property and business.
– There is a requirement to meet legislative requirements such
as the Fire Safety Order (FSO) and the Dangerous
Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
(DSEAR).
Biomass
Fire risks
– There are a number of potential fire hazards associated with
biomass boiler systems which include both the materials
used as the fuel and the equipment with potential risks to
people, property and business.
– There is a requirement to meet legislative requirements such
as the Fire Safety Order (FSO) and the Dangerous
Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
(DSEAR).
– Fires in boilers
Biomass
Fire risks
– There are a number of potential fire hazards associated with
biomass boiler systems which include both the materials
used as the fuel and the equipment with potential risks to
people, property and business.
– There is a requirement to meet legislative requirements such
as the Fire Safety Order (FSO) and the Dangerous
Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
(DSEAR).
– Fires in boilers
– Self heating of fuel piles
Biomass
Fire risks
– There are a number of potential fire hazards associated with
biomass boiler systems which include both the materials
used as the fuel and the equipment with potential risks to
people, property and business.
– There is a requirement to meet legislative requirements such
as the Fire Safety Order (FSO) and the Dangerous
Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
(DSEAR).
– Fires in boilers
– Self heating of fuel piles
– Potential dust explosion hazard during fuel delivery
Heat pumps
– Heat pump systems work by extracting heat from the
surrounding air or ground. These systems are
designed to heat a whole building and are very similar
to that used in a refrigerator, but running in reverse.
– Heat pumps have some impact on the environment as
they need electricity to run; heat pumps require
electricity to power the pump, but the electricity
required can be generated by a small wind turbine or
PV panel.
Heat pumps
Solar electric/Photovoltaics (PV)
– Solar Panels or Photovoltaics use energy from the sun
to create electricity, in domestic environments used to
run appliances and lighting.
– PVs will work in any weather as long as there is
daylight.
– The greater the intensity of the sunlight, the more
electricity is generated but the cells do not need direct
sunlight to work and they can still generate some
electricity on a cloudy day.
Solar electric/Photovoltaics (PV)
Solar electric/Photovoltaics (PV)
– Inverters
Solar electric/Photovoltaics (PV)
With the permission of Bodo Wolters
PV systems exacerbate fire hazards?
– Falling glass
PV systems exacerbate fire hazards?
– Falling glass
– Roof loading (added risk of
structural collapse due to weight
of panels)
PV systems exacerbate fire hazards?
– Falling glass
– Roof loading (added risk of
structural collapse due to weight
of panels)
– Poorly installed panels may
obstruct/restrict use of roof
windows as means of escape
PV systems present new electrical risks to firefighters?
– Fire fighters may not recognise
PV system – lots of different
types
PV systems present new electrical risks to firefighters?
– Fire fighters may not recognise
PV system – lots of different
types
– Fire fighters not used to
dealing with DC
– Don’t know what to expect
PV systems present new electrical risks to firefighters?
– Fire fighters may not recognise
PV system – lots of different
types
– Fire fighters not used to
dealing with DC
– Don’t know what to expect
– AC detectors will not detect
DC?
e.g. Draper 71389 Non-Contact AC
Voltage Sensor
For detecting metal and voltage (5-1000V
AC) in walls, continuity, microwave
leakage.
PV systems present new electrical risks to firefighters?
– Fire fighters may not recognise
PV system – lots of different
types
– Fire fighters not used to
dealing with DC
– Don’t know what to expect
– AC detectors will not detect
DC?
– Will there be an emergency
switch?
– Where?
– What if not ?
Heavy metals release
– Cadmium Telluride? CdTe
– Only a problem if exposed to
very high temperatures?
1100 deg C – seldom reached
in uncontained fires.
– Gets encapsulated by glass?
PV stories from US
– Firefighters cut through panels to vent fire electrocution
– Panels prevent venting
– Panels may be slippery – hazard for fire fighters on the
roof
– May limit access to and use of roof
– Looking at use of portable covers
PV systems can cause fires?
– Installation guides recognise fire
risks
PV systems can cause fires?
– Installation guides recognise fire
risks
PV systems can cause fires?
– Installation guides recognise fire
risks
PV systems can cause fires?
– Installation guides recognise fire
risks
– Cut off switches on the market
Fire and Rescue Service Operational Guidance
GRA 3.1 Fighting fires in buildings
– ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ON EXTERNAL
BUILDING FASCIAS
– Electrical systems may be found in
external positions on buildings.
– These may include photo-voltaic panels
and shop signs etc which present an
electrical shock hazard, or shock track
(electric) bird abatement systems, which
although only being low voltage, may be
hazardous if a firefighter were to touch it
whilst at the head of a ladder.
Photovoltaics
Photovoltaics
Solar thermal
– Solar panels can be fitted onto or integrated
into a building's roof.
– They use the sun's energy to heat water, or
a heat-transfer fluid, which passes through
the panel. The energy is transferred to a
heat store (for example, a hot water tank) to
provide part of the hot water demand for the
building. Usually another heat source will
be needed to supplement collectors in
winter months. Solar panels can also be
used to heat swimming pools.
– Solar thermal systems are based on a
collector, through which circulates a working
fluid. The working fluid is then pumped
through a heat exchanger, usually to heat
water.
Waste Derived Fuel
– Waste Derived Fuel (WDF) is sewage sludge that has been
through a drying process to produce a dry granular or pelletised
product that has a high calorific value. However during
processing, depending on the type of drying process and
product handling equipment used, large quantities of dust can
be produced. In some areas a very fibrous material is formed
during the drying process which is most likely due particular to
wastes from local industries entering into the sewer system.
– In addition to being used as a fuel this material is also used as a
fertiliser in many parts of the UK and sold to farmers by the
regional water company who produces it.
Waste Derived Fuel
– Paddle dryer
– Heated paddles inside dryer
Waste Derived Fuel
Fire risks
– Dust explosion in the drying process plant
Waste Derived Fuel
Fire risks
– Dust explosion in the drying process plant
– Self heating leading to fires in the dryer or during bulk
storage
Waste Derived Fuel
Examples of explosion protection systems used are:
– Explosion relief vents that will open to relieve the
pressure
– Explosion suppression that acts to smother the
explosion at its early development stage by injection of
an extinguishant material such as dry powder
– Explosion resistant vessels that will contain the
pressure generated
– Explosion isolation devices that stop the explosion
propagating from one vessel to another
Wind turbines
– Wind turbines come in a number of types and sizes. Some
have vanes with a vertical axis, but most have a horizontal
axis.
Wind turbines
– Wind turbines come in a number of types and sizes. Some
have vanes with a vertical axis, but most have a horizontal
axis.
– Small-scale wind turbines are used in local applications, such
as domestic properties (building/roof mounted), or ships and
yachts (pole mounted). The former typically generate up to
6kW, the latter up to 2kW.
– Medium scale wind turbines are used for specific applications
such as industrial estates and schools. They can generate
around 500kW.
– Large scale wind turbines are used singly in specific
applications, or in clusters as wind farms. Each turbine can
generate up to 4MW.
Wind turbines
– Turbines can be connected to the local electricity grid. If the
wind turbine is connected to the grid then this is through an
inverter which converts the direct current (DC) produced by
the generator of the turbine to alternating current (AC) and
the AC can be directly exported to the electricity grid
network. Where a turbine is not connected to the grid (known
as off grid), then unused electricity may be stored in a battery
for use when there is little or no wind.
– Offshore wind farms can generate significant amounts of
energy; for example the Walney off-shore farm comprises
102 Siemens 3.6 MW wind turbines, generating 367.2 MW.
Wind turbines
Fire risks
– Ignition of housing
Wind turbines
Fire risks
– Ignition of housing
– Lightning
Wind turbines
Fire risks
– Ignition of housing
– Lightning
– Sparks
Wind turbines
Fire risks
– Ignition of housing
– Lightning
– Sparks
– Hydrogen
Wind turbines
Fire risks
– Ignition of housing
– Lightning
– Sparks
– Hydrogen
– Overheating bearings
Wind turbines
Fire risks
– Ignition of housing
– Lightning
– Sparks
– Hydrogen
– Overheating bearings
– Combustible insulation
Wind turbines
Wind turbines
Wind turbines
Wind turbines
Recommended fire protection measures include:
– Lightning and surge protection;
– Careful system design to minimise the risk of electrical fires;
– Minimising the amount of combustible materials;
– Careful system design to minimise potential ignition sources;
– Careful management of “hot work”;
– Proper inspection, servicing, maintenance and repair of electrical and mechanical
systems;
– Fault monitoring;
– Enforcing a no smoking policy;
– Staff training;
– Minimising the risk of a forest fire by provision of a cleared zone around the turbine;
– Provision of a fire, heat and/or smoke detection system, and monitoring;
– Provision of first aid fire fighting equipment (fire extinguishers);
– Provision of a fire extinguishing/suppression system.
Hydrogen
– Not a “renewable” energy source itself
– Hydrogen is increasingly being seen as an important
energy carrier equivalent to electricity (an energy
carrier moves and delivers energy to consumers in a
usable form) since the renewable energy sources
discussed here, such as the sun and wind, cannot
produce energy continuously, but sometimes produce
more than can be used at the time.
– Excess electrical energy can be used to generate
hydrogen, which can then be stored until it is required.
Hydrogen can also be transported to locations where it
is needed, such as filling stations, and used to power
vehicles.
Hydrogen
– Fire and explosion risks of hydrogen are
well-known and well documented.
– Hydrogen is a very explosive gas and
must be handled with extreme caution.
– The lower explosion limit for hydrogen is
4% by volume and the upper explosion
limit is 75% by volume giving it a large
flammable concentration range.
– It is lighter than air and so a release of
hydrogen inside a container or room will
mean that it rises up to the top of the
enclosure which is where the
concentration will start to build-up.
Phase change materials
– A means of storing energy
– May contain paraffin wax mixtures
Conclusions
– We need to ensure that all innovations in designs,
products and materials that are supporting more
sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings do
not introduce unexpected fire risks.
– There may be some new fire risks associated with
renewable energy systems
– Some of the concerns may be unfounded; others may
need a response.
– We need to all work together to ensure that the fire
issues are dealt with logically and professionally and
not subject to simple commercial pressures.
– We need to all work together to develop practical
solutions, and practical guidance.
Thank you
– Martin Shipp
– Technical Development Director, Fire Safety
– T: +44 (0) 1923 664960
– F: +44 (0) 1923 664910
– E: [email protected]
– W: www.bre.co.uk/fire
– BRE Fire and Security, BRE, Garston, Watford WD25
9XX, UK