SGS and Chongqing Energy College unveil advanced AI-based automated thermal runaway testing system for battery energy storage safety

SGS and Chongqing Energy College unveil advanced AI-based automated thermal runaway testing system for battery energy storage safety

(IN BRIEF) SGS, in collaboration with Chongqing Energy College, has launched the world’s first AI-powered, fully automated thermal runaway testing system for energy storage batteries, aiming to improve fire safety in the growing BESS market. Installed at the Chongqing Renewable & Advanced Energy Laboratory, the system meets ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A:2025 standards and uses advanced deep learning technologies like Yolo, TensorFlow, ResNet, and VGG to process real-time data, detect smoke and fire, and adjust testing parameters automatically. This innovation reduces manual intervention, enhances accuracy, improves safety, and accelerates certification timelines. The laboratory, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited since 2022, remains the first in China to offer UL9540A-compliant testing services.

(PRESS RELEASE) GENEVA, 8-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — SGS has unveiled its first artificial intelligence-powered, fully automated thermal runaway testing system designed for energy storage batteries, marking a major step forward in fire safety testing for the rapidly expanding battery energy storage systems (BESS) sector across commercial, industrial, and residential markets.

Developed in partnership with Chongqing Energy College (CEC), the cutting-edge solution addresses the growing safety challenges linked to thermal runaway events, where excessive heat and pressure inside a battery cell can trigger fires or explosions. The system complies with the ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A:2025 standard, enabling detailed assessment of thermal runaway fire propagation in BESS and generating critical data on potential hazards during such incidents.

Now operational at SGS’s Chongqing Renewable & Advanced Energy Laboratory, the platform integrates advanced deep learning capabilities to process data from temperature, voltage, gas emissions, and combustion metrics during testing. Proprietary AI algorithms automatically refine testing parameters, capture data in real time, and deploy computer vision tools based on state-of-the-art deep learning frameworks such as Yolo, TensorFlow, ResNet, and VGG to detect and track smoke and fire. This reduces manual involvement, enhances precision, and improves efficiency.

Walter Zheng of SGS Connectivity & Products highlighted the importance of this milestone: “Thermal runaway incidents present significant industry challenges. Our new fully automated system not only meets internationally recognized safety testing requirements but also accelerates certification timelines, boosts transparency, and ensures higher testing precision for safer, more competitive products.”

Among the system’s standout features are:

• Comprehensive automation – centralized software oversees all testing processes, from equipment activation to parameter control and data gathering, significantly reducing manual workload.
• Intelligent detection and logging – AI-driven computer vision accurately recognizes and records smoke and fire events to produce reliable, high-quality data.
• Enhanced laboratory safety – automation minimizes personnel exposure to high-risk conditions, ensuring a safer work environment.

The Chongqing Renewable & Advanced Energy Laboratory earned ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation in 2022, making it the first facility in China authorized to conduct UL9540A-compliant testing. Chongqing Energy College, founded in April 2009 and approved by the Chongqing Municipal Government, continues to play a vital role in advancing applied energy research and education in the region.

For further information, visit: Navigating the Challenges of Energy Storage Systems | SGS

About SGS

SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).

Media Contact:

Walter Zheng
Connectivity & Products, SGS
t: +86 (0)20 8145 1148

SOURCE: SGS