Battery module or pack with a distributed cooling and fire protection system and method of operating same

A battery assembly having a distributed cooling and fire protection system, said battery assembly comprising:

• a) a plurality of battery cells;
• b) a case which holds the plurality of battery cells, having empty space around each cell to accommodate a desired amount of a first cooling liquid;
• and
• c) a cooling liquid distribution system, having a cooling liquid reservoir and/or pipes that are in proximity to at least a subset of the plurality of the cells and configured to deliver, on demand, the desired amount of the first cooling liquid on a cell or multiple cells in the vicinity of the cell or into the empty space surrounding the cell when a temperature of the cell exceeds a threshold temperature;
• wherein the first cooling liquid comprises a fire protection or fire suppression substance which, on contact with the cell, prevents, retards, or extinguishes a cell fire and prevents a propagation or cell-to-cell cascading reactions of a thermal runaway or fire event.