New Energy Storage Power Supply Safety Standards

In this article, we briefly discuss each of the 20 proposals adopted in the third edition of UL 9540. UL 9540 is a safety standard for the construction, manufacturing, performance testing and marking of grid-tied ESS. This includes electrochemical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal storage systems. [pdf]

FAQS about New Energy Storage Power Supply Safety Standards

Are battery energy storage systems safe?

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 28, 2025 — Today, the American Clean Power Association (ACP) released a comprehensive framework to ensure the safety of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in every community across the United States, informed by a new assessment of previous fire incidents at BESS facilities.

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.

What does ul 9540 mean for energy storage systems & equipment?

The third edition of the UL 9540 Standard for Safety for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment, published in April 2023, introduces replacements, revisions and additions to the requirements for system deployment.

Are energy storage facilities safe?

“The energy storage industry is committed to a proactive and tireless approach to safety and reliability. At its core, energy storage facilities are critical infrastructure designed to protect people from power outages,” said ACP VP of Energy Storage Noah Roberts.

Do I need a sprinkler system for a battery ESS?

A: Testing has shown that water is the most efective agent for cooling for a battery ESS. For this reason, a sprinkler system designed in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, is required by NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Energy Storage Systems.

Why do we need energy storage systems?

Growing concerns about the use of fossil fuels and greater demand for a cleaner, more eficient, and more resilient energy grid has led to the use of energy storage systems (ESS), and that use has increased substantially over the past decade.

Design standards for energy storage power supplies

This Compliance Guide (CG) covers the design and construction of stationary energy storage systems (ESS), their component parts and the siting, installation, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and repair/renovation of ESS within the built environment with evaluations of those ESSs against voluntary sector standards and model codes that have been published and adopted as of the publication date of this CG. [pdf]

FAQS about Design standards for energy storage power supplies

What is the energy storage system guide?

Through their efforts, the Energy Storage System Guide for Compliance with Safety Codes and Standards 2016 was developed. This code for residential buildings creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less.

What do electrical engineers learn while designing battery energy storage systems?

Electrical engineers must learn to navigate industry codes and standards while designing battery energy storage systems (BESS) Understand the key differences and applications battery energy storage system (BESS) in buildings. Learn to navigate industry codes and standards for BESS design.

What are the NFPA requirements for emergency and standby power systems?

International Building Code (IBC): Following IBC 2024 Chapter 27 Section 2702.1.3, emergency or standby power systems must be installed following the guidelines outlined in the International Fire Code IFC), NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) and NFPA 111: Standard on Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power Systems.

Does industry need standards for energy storage?

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].

What is a battery energy storage system (BESS) & an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)?

Figure 1: A simplified project single line showing both a battery energy storage system (BESS) and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The UPS only feeds critical loads, never losing power.

What is a safe energy storage system (ESS)?

Timely deployment of a safe ESS is the way to document and validate compliance with current Codes, Standards, and Regulations (CSR). A task force under the CSR working group was formed to address compliance with current CSR. Through their efforts, the Energy Storage System Guide for Compliance with Safety Codes and Standards 2016 was developed.

Base station energy storage system standards

This Compliance Guide (CG) covers the design and construction of stationary energy storage systems (ESS), their component parts and the siting, installation, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and repair/renovation of ESS within the built environment with evaluations of those ESSs against voluntary sector standards and model codes that have been published and adopted as of the publication date of this CG. [pdf]

FAQS about Base station energy storage system 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).

What is a battery energy storage system?

Telkes In recent years, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have become an essential part of the energy landscape. With a growing emphasis on renewable energy sources like solar and wind, BESS plays a crucial role in stabilizing the power grid and ensuring a reliable supply of electricity.

What is a framework for evaluating energy storage technologies in stationary applications?

A framework for this assessment is provided by IEEE Std 1679, IEEE Recom-mended Practice for the Characterization and Evaluation of Energy Storage Technologies in Stationary Applications. Additional guidance is provided for certain classes of bat-tery systems in a series of subsidiary documents.

What if energy storage system and component standards are not identified?

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 safety standards affect the design and installation of ESS?

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.

Does industry need standards for energy storage?

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].