Fire Safety and Risk Management in Emerging New Energy Systems

Dear Colleagues,

The transition toward sustainable energy has accelerated the adoption of emerging technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), battery energy storage systems (BESS), hydrogen energy, and renewable energy infrastructures, including solar and wind power. These innovations are central to achieving global carbon neutrality goals and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. However, the integration of these technologies introduces new and complex fire hazards that differ fundamentally from those in conventional energy systems, posing significant safety challenges to both industry and society.

Lithium-ion batteries, widely used in EVs and BESS, are prone to thermal runaway, a chain reaction that can result in high-intensity fires, explosions, and toxic emissions. Hydrogen, as a clean energy carrier, presents risks associated with high-pressure storage, rapid diffusion, and invisible flames. Meanwhile, photovoltaic and wind energy installations face fire risks linked to electrical faults, combustible materials, and exposure to harsh environments. These scenarios involve intricate thermal, chemical, and electrochemical processes that demand deeper scientific investigation.

Recent high-profile incidents—such as those caused by EV battery fires, BESS explosions, and hydrogen station accidents—have underscored the urgency of advancing fire safety research in the new energy sector. Traditional fire suppression techniques, detection systems, and safety standards are often inadequate to address the unique fire dynamics of these systems. Moreover, the expansion of these technologies into urban and residential environments amplifies the risks and consequences of fire-related events.

To ensure the safe and sustainable deployment of new energy systems, it is critical to advance our understanding of fire behavior, ignition mechanisms, propagation pathways, and suppression strategies. This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research on fire safety science, risk management, and regulatory development, providing a platform to foster innovation and guide the design of resilient, fire-safe new energy technologies for real-world applications.

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for researchers, engineers, and industry practitioners to share recent advances, experimental findings, modeling approaches, and practical solutions related to fire safety in emerging new energy systems. Contributions addressing fundamental fire science, fire detection and suppression technologies, risk assessment frameworks, and regulatory strategies are particularly encouraged.

We welcome both original research articles and comprehensive reviews that advance the understanding of fire risks and safety management in new energy applications, with the ultimate goal of promoting safer, more sustainable deployment of these technologies. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Fire hazards, ignition mechanisms, and combustion characteristics of lithium-ion batteries and battery energy storage systems (BESS)
• Fire dynamics, suppression, and mitigation strategies in electric vehicles (EVs)
• Thermal runaway propagation, explosion risks, and fire modeling of battery modules/packs
• Fire safety in hydrogen energy, fuel cells, and hybrid systems
• Fire risks associated with photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and renewable energy infrastructures
• Fire detection, monitoring, and suppression technologies for new energy systems
• Risk assessment and safety standards development for emerging energy industries
• Case studies and lessons learned from large-scale new energy fire incidents
• Multi-physics simulation and modeling of fire dynamics in energy systems
• Integration of fire safety design into new energy infrastructure planning and operation

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Yanyan Liu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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