safety in energy storage systems. At the workshop, an overarching driving force was identified that impacts all aspects of documenting and validating safety in energy storage; deployment of energy storage systems is ahead of the codes, standards and regulations (CSRs) needed to appropriately regulate deployment.
Do energy storage systems need a CSR?
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).
Do energy storage sites have different safety codes and standards?
Yes, different safety installation codes and standards are used for energy storage sites with large utility-owned systems where the inverters and batteries are housed in separate locations and the entire project is often far from other buildings. For instance, the 1,600-MWh setup at Moss Landing in California follows these specific codes and standards.
Large-scale energy storage systems pose a greater risk for property and life loss than smaller systems due to their size. NFPA 855 requires 3 ft of space between every 50 kWh of energy storage for safety. However, the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) can approve closer proximities for larger storage systems based on thermal runaway test results from UL 9540A.
What if the energy storage system and component standards are not identified?
Table 3.1. Energy Storage System and Component Standards 2. If relevant testing standards are not identified, it is possible they are under development by an SDO or by a third-party testing entity that plans to use them to conduct tests until a formal standard has been developed and approved by an SDO.
What is a UL 9540 certified energy storage system?
A UL 9540-certified energy storage system (ESS) must use UL 1741-certified inverters and UL 1973-certified battery packs that have been tested using UL 9540A safety methods. The batteries and inverter inside such a system have all met product safety standards.
What is a safety standard for stationary batteries?
Safety standard for stationary batteries for energy storage applications, non-chemistry specific and includes electrochemical capacitor systems or hybrid electrochemical capacitor and battery systems. Includes requirements for unique technologies such as flow batteries and sodium beta (i.e., sodium sulfur and sodium nickel chloride).