One of three key components of that initiative involves codes, standards and regulations (CSR) impacting the timely deployment of safe energy storage systems (ESS).
The potential safety issues associated with ESS and lithium-ion bateries may be best understood by examining a case involving a major explosion and fire at an energy storage facility in Arizona in April 2019, in which two first responders were seriously injured.
These safety standards and performance tests help to ensure that the technologies deployed in energy storage facilities uniformly comply with the highest global safety standards.
More details on how codes and standards are developed and adopted and compliance with them is documented and verified are available in the following document and at the links to the three topics below (Current Development Status, Adoption, Conformity Assessment).
What is IEC 62933? The IEC 62933 series establishes a framework for electrical energy storage (EES) systems, including grid-scale and commercial applications. It covers general requirements, safety, performance, environmental considerations, and grid integration.
This document outlines a framework for ensuring safety in the battery energy storage industry through rigorous standards, certifications, and proactive collaboration with various stakeholders.
UL 9540: A comprehensive safety standard for energy storage systems and equipment, outlining requirements for design, construction, and performance to ensure safe operation.
One of the key product standards that covers the full system is the UL9540 Standard for Safety: Energy Storage Systems and Equipment [2]. Here, we discuss this standard in detail; some of the remaining challenges are discussed in the next section.
As shown in Fig. 3, many safety C&S affect the design and installation of ESS. One of the key product standards that covers the full system is the UL9540 Standard for Safety: Energy Storage Systems and Equipment . Here, we discuss this standard in detail; some of the remaining challenges are discussed in the next section.
As cited in the DOE OE ES Program Plan, “Industry requires specifications of standards for characterizing the performance of energy storage under grid conditions and for modeling behavior. Discussions with industry pro-fessionals indicate a significant need for standards” [1, p. 30].
Until existing model codes and standards are updated or new ones developed and then adopted, one seeking to deploy energy storage technologies or needing to verify an installation’s safety may be challenged in applying current CSRs to an energy storage system (ESS).
It is recognized that electric energy storage equipment or systems can be a single device providing all required functions or an assembly of components, each having limited functions. Components having limited functions shall be tested for those functions in accordance with this standard.
Covers an energy storage system (ESS) that is intended to receive and store energy in some form so that the ESS can provide electrical energy to loads or to the local/area electric power system (EPS) when needed. Electrochemical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal ESS are covered by this Standard.
It emphasizes collaboration with fire departments, safety experts, policymakers, and regulators to implement safety recommendations. The goal is to ensure the safe and reliable performance of battery energy storage systems as critical power grid infrastructure.
