LG Energy Solution "No Abnormalities Found in Electrode Coating After ESS Fire Process Improvements"

Statement Released After Announcement of the 3rd ESS Fire Investigation Team's Findings on the 2nd

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] LG Energy Solution announced on the 2nd that the investigation into the fires involving its battery-equipped energy storage systems (ESS) that occurred in three locations, including Eumseong, Chungcheongbuk-do, concluded that "no abnormalities in electrode coating were found after the company's manufacturing process."

Regarding the investigation team's 'ESS fire accident investigation results,' LG Energy Solution stated, "We have already completed improvements to the electrode coating process, identified as the ignition factor through proactive internal investigations and analyses," adding, "The investigation team also verified the safety of batteries produced after the company's process improvements in September 2018 through separate experiments beyond the fire investigation, concluding that 'no battery failures, including fires, occurred, and no abnormalities in electrode coating were found in the disassembly analysis.'" LG Energy Solution said, "We will continue to strengthen the quality competitiveness of our products and strive for the development of the ESS industry ecosystem."

Previously, in May of last year, LG Energy Solution voluntarily replaced products produced on the ESS-dedicated line from April 2017 to September 2018. This action was taken in accordance with the company's 'customer safety and quality first principle.'

Investigation Results and Evaluation of the 3rd ESS Fire Cause Investigation Team. (Source=Korea Electrical Safety Corporation)

The investigation team stated, "Regarding the LG Energy Solution battery fire accidents that occurred in Eumseong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do; Yeongcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do; and Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, although the fires were presumed to be caused by internal battery abnormalities, the investigation team, after reviewing LG Energy Solution's analysis results and process improvements and conducting charge-discharge disassembly analyses of batteries produced after the process improvements, did not confirm the 'electrode coating abnormalities' disclosed by LG Energy Solution."

Opinion disclosed by Samsung SDI to the 3rd ESS Fire Cause Investigation Team. (Data=Korea Electrical Safety Corporation)

Meanwhile, concerning the fire accident in Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, where Samsung SDI batteries were identified as the cause of ignition, the investigation team announced, "The battery was analyzed as the ignition point," and "High charge rate usage was judged to be a factor increasing the risk of fire occurrence." They added, "Regarding the Haenam fire, the reason the fire was not suppressed by the battery fire extinguishing system and spread was likely because additional extinguishing activities by safety managers interfered with the normal operation of the extinguishing system."

In response, a Samsung SDI official said, "Samsung also participated in the investigation team's verification, and no facts were found during the experimental process indicating that the battery was the cause of the (fire)."