Standards in the field of energy storage
This guide is an energy storage systems compliance primer. It maps the core frameworks you must know—UL 9540, UL 1973, IEC 62619, NFPA 855, NEC Article 706, CE marking, and more—and shows why treating standards as design inputs accelerates fundraising, deployment, and customer trust. The article also gives several examples of industry efforts to update or create new standards to remove gaps in energy storage C&S and to accommodate new and emerging energy storage technologies. Electrochemical energy storage has a reputation for concerns regarding the ventilation of hazardous gases, poor reliability, short product ttery technologies, the traditional lead-acid technology has deve oped a. . As renewable energy adoption grows, energy storage systems (ESS) have become critical for balancing supply and demand, improving reliability, and supporting grid resilience. [PDF Version]FAQS about Standards in the field of energy storage
Are energy storage codes & standards needed?
Discussions with industry professionals indicate a significant need for standards ” [1, p. 30]. Under this strategic driver, a portion of DOE-funded energy storage research and development (R&D) is directed to actively work with industry to fill energy storage Codes & Standards (C&S) gaps.
Does industry need energy storage standards?
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 professionals indicate a significant need for standards ” [1, p. 30].
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 energy storage need C&S?
Energy storage has made massive gains in adoption in the United States and globally, exceeding a gigawatt of battery-based ESSs added over the last decade. While a lack of C&S for energy storage remains a barrier to even higher adoption, advances have been made and efforts continue to fill remaining gaps in codes and standards.
Are there restrictions on energy storage technologies?
ndards, there are significant restrictions on some Energy Storage technologies. Any technology not explicitly listed in the relevant tables (Table 9.4.1 in NFPA 855-2023, and Table 1207.5 in IFC 2021), and even some of those listed but not specified as having an unlimited allowable
Is energy storage a future power grid?
For the past decade, industry, utilities, regulators, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have viewed energy storage as an important element of future power grids, and that as technology matures and costs decline, adoption will increase.
The latest safety standards for energy storage products
, 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. . WASHINGTON, D. Key safety considerations throughout project execution. Increasing safety certainty earlier in the energy. . In this article, you will know the most important safety standards. From manufacturers sweating over compliance paperwork to. . Schwalb, with over 20 years of product safety certification experience, is responsible for the development of technical requirements and the interpretation of UL standard requirements for Energy Storage Systems (ESS), stationary batteries, fuel cells and hydrogen generators. [PDF Version]
Energy storage equipment testing standards
UL can test your large energy storage systems (ESS) based on UL 9540 and provide ESS certification to help identify the safety and performance of your system. . Large batteries present unique safety considerations, because they contain high levels of energy. Additionally, they may utilize hazardous materials and moving parts. We work hand in hand with system integrators and OEMs to better understand and address these issues. . UL 9540, the Standard for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment, is the standard for safety of energy storage systems, which includes electrical, electrochemical, mechanical and other. . Depending on the applicability of the system, there will be different standards to fulfill for getting the products into the different installations and Markets. Depending on the area of Europe to install. . We also offer performance and reliability testing, including capacity claims, charge and discharge cycling, overcharge abilities, environmental and. [PDF Version]
Energy storage battery production standards
The battery manufacturing industry is subject to a strict set of standards and regulations designed to guarantee the safety, performance and durability of batteries. This document offers a curated overview of the relevant codes and standards (C+S) governing the safe deployment of utility-scale battery energy storage. . 75 gigawatts of additional deployments between 2023 and 2027 across all market segments,1 with approximately 95% of current projects using Li ion battery technology. 2 Incidents involving fire or explosion are quite rare, with the EPRI Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Failure Event Database3. . Due to increases in demand for electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energies, and a wide range of consumer goods, the demand for energy storage batteries has increased considerably from 2000 through 2024. For the sake of brevity, electrochemical technologies will be the prima y focus of this paper due to being. . There are two main families of Battery Energy Storage standards: those from Underwrit- ers' Laboratories (UL) in North America, and from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). [PDF Version]FAQS about Energy storage battery production standards
Do battery energy storage systems comply with building codes?
Building codes: Battery energy storage systems (BESS) must comply with local building codes and fire safety regulations, which can vary across different geographies and municipalities. These codes are governed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in the U.S. and the performance-based European Standards (EN) in the European Union.
What are the CSA Standards for batteries & energy storage systems?
CSA provides testing and certification services for batteries and energy storage systems. Key CSA standards include : Standard for energy storage systems, covering electrical safety requirements. Standard for information technology equipment, including battery systems. Standard for rechargeable batteries used in portable appliances.
What are battery manufacturing standards?
They impose strict limits on the levels of cadmium, lead, nickel and other heavy metals in battery plant effluent. U.S. battery manufacturing standards are designed to ensure product safety, protect workers and minimize environmental impact. UL standards, CPSC guidelines, OSHA and EPA regulations all play a crucial role in shaping the industry.
What are UL standards for battery manufacturing?
The battery manufacturing industry in the United States is governed by a set of standards and regulations designed to guarantee the safety, performance and durability of batteries. UL Standards are among the most widely recognized battery safety standards in the USA. They cover various aspects of battery manufacture and use, including :
What are energy storage battery certifications?
Global certifications ensure that energy storage batteries meet stringent safety, performance, and environmental standards, mitigating these risks while facilitating market access. 2. Key Energy Storage Battery Certifications Worldwide UN38.3 (United Nations Transport Safety Standard)
What are the UL standards for energy storage systems?
UL 1973: Batteries for Use in Stationary and Motive Auxiliary Power Applications. Safety standard for modules and battery systems used in stationary energy storage systems. UL 9540, Energy Storage Systems and Equipment. Safety standard for energy storage systems used with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
