Wärtsilä Sets New Fire Safety Benchmark with Quantum3 Energy Storage System

­Technology group Wärtsilä has successfully completed three major fire safety and explosion tests for its battery energy storage system, Quantum3. The rigorous testing program included UL 9540A unit-level testing, Large Scale Fire Testing, and proprietary Active Ignition Mitigation System (AIMS) testing. Wärtsilä continues to set the bar for fire safety in the global energy storage industry with an unparalleled track record.

The three tests were designed to simulate worst-case fire and/or explosion scenarios, providing valuable data to manufacturers, first responders, customers, and regulators. Together, they confirm Quantum3’s ability to contain thermal runaway events, prevent fire propagation, and mitigate risks associated with flammable gas build-up—ensuring safety for surrounding communities. CSA Group, a leader in standards development and in product testing, inspection, and certification, participated in the planning and witnessed the execution of all three tests for third-party verification. 

• UL 9540A Testing: Wärtsilä’s Quantum3 met all necessary performance requirements, demonstrating that if a battery cell were to enter thermal runaway, the event would not spread to adjacent modules nor enclosures. No external flaming occurred, and no explosion hazards were exhibited.
• Large Scale Fire Testing: Under controlled conditions and in compliance with CSA/ANSI C800:25, a fire was ignited inside a Quantum3 unit and allowed to burn for over 22 hours. The results demonstrated that the fire was effectively contained within the initiating unit and did not propagate to adjacent units, even in the absence of intervention or water-based suppression measures. 
• Active Ignition Mitigation System (AIMS) Testing: Wärtsilä validated its proprietary AIMS technology, which proactively ignites flammable gases at the earliest stages of a thermal event. This pioneering approach prevents uncontrolled deflagrations and maintains full enclosure integrity during extreme simulated conditions.

“CSA Group was pleased to support Wärtsilä’s fire safety testing program through close collaboration between our North American and Asian teams,” said Dana Parmenter, Commercial Vice President, Industry, CSA Group. "The strong coordination between teams helped ensure the testing was carried out smoothly and effectively.”

Quantum3 is the most advanced addition to Wärtsilä’s Quantum battery energy storage product portfolio, offering a fully integrated AC block solution with industry-leading safety, cybersecurity, energy density, and sustainability features. Quantum3’s enhanced fire safety features exceed the requirements of current global regulations, including advanced fire suppression and next-generation thermal management.

“These results reflect years of engineering innovation and safety-first design,” said Mishaal SyedNaveed, Product Manager - Fire Protection at Wärtsilä Energy Storage. “By completing all three tests, Quantum3 has proven its best-in-class safety performance, giving our customers and the general public confidence that Wärtsilä systems are ready for the most demanding applications.”

Wärtsilä will continue collaborating with first responders, customers, and regulators to ensure that fire safety keeps pace with the rapid deployment of battery energy storage worldwide.

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