Energy storage products refer to national standards

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.

What is an energy storage system (ESS)?

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.

Are large-scale energy storage systems safe?

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 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 the NFPA ESS fire safety standard?

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) has a standard (NFPA ESS) specifically for fire safety in Energy Storage Systems. This standard focuses on preventing and extinguishing ESS fires by installing systems correctly and providing accurate safety labeling for worst-case scenarios. NFPA’s installation standards aren’t enforceable unless adopted by the local jurisdiction.

Is energy storage safe?

Although rare, ESS fires and explosions are a possibility that should be acknowledged and prepared for. Installing UL-certified systems to NFPA standards ensures that energy storage is a safe option for everyday power needs.