Does a battery storage system need a rated usable energy capacity?

No. For compliance with the Energy Code the rated usable energy capacity of the battery storage system in kWh must be used for Equation 140.10-B - PDF. The usable capacity is the battery energy storage capacity in kWh that a manufacturer allows to be used for charging and discharging.

Are energy storage systems safe for commercial buildings?

For all of the technologies listed, as long as appropriate high voltage safety procedures are followed, energy storage systems can be a safe source of power in commercial buildings. For more information on specific technologies, please see the DOE/EPRI Electricity Storage Handbook available at:

Can a nonresidential building be excluded from a battery storage system?

Four exceptions can exclude nonresidential buildings from the battery storage system requirements: Single-tenant buildings with < 5,000 square feet of conditioned floor area (CFA). For multi-tenant buildings, the battery storage system energy and power capacities are based on tenant spaces > 5,000 square feet of CFA

Who should consider adding energy storage to a commercial building?

This guide is intended for anyone investigating the addition of energy storage to a single or multiple commercial buildings. This could include building energy managers, facility managers, and property managers in a variety of sectors.

Is energy storage a viable option?

Assuming the initial analysis shows that energy storage is an economically viable option, the final decision to procure an ESS needs to be taken in the broader perspective of the business as a whole. This can include looking at issues of space, noise, and timing for system installation.

Are battery & energy storage systems CEC certified?

A list of certified batteries is available on the CEC website. covered by warranty or 70% of nameplate capacity under 10-year warranty. Do battery & energy storage systems need to be certified to the CEC to meet Reference Joint Appendix JA12 requirements? Yes.