Energy storage module safety test plan

What's new in energy storage safety?

Since the publication of the first Energy Storage Safety Strategic Plan in 2014, there have been introductions of new technologies, new use cases, and new codes, standards, regulations, and testing methods. Additionally, failures in deployed energy storage systems (ESS) have led to new emergency response best practices.

What is the energy storage safety strategic plan?

Under the Energy Storage Safety Strategic Plan, developed with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Energy Storage Program by Pacific Northwest Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, an Energy Storage Safety initiative has been underway since July 2015.

Are energy storage systems safe?

In North America, the newest standards that govern energy storage systems are: Globally, the IEC 62933 series has similar safety requirements as UL 9540, with IEC 62933-5-2:2020 mentioning the need for large-scale fire testing for evaluating thermal runaway of Li-based battery systems and referencing UL 9540A as an example test method.

What are the energy storage operational safety guidelines?

In addition to NYSERDA’s BESS Guidebook, ESA issued the U.S. Energy Storage Operational Safety Guidelines in December 2019 to provide the BESS industry with a guide to current codes and standards applicable to BESS and provide additional guidelines to plan for and mitigate potential operational hazards.

Are there standards for integrated battery energy storage systems?

There are standards for photovoltaic system components, wind generation and conventional batteries. However, there are currently no IEEE, UL or IEC standards that yet pertain specifically to this new generation of integrated battery energy storage system products. The framework presented below includes a field commissioning component.

Do electric energy storage systems need to be tested?

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.