US ENERGY STORAGE NEEDS NATIONAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS TO

Household Energy Storage Discharge Standards
UL 9540 defines the safety requirements for energy storage systems and equipment. NFPA 855 outlines installation rules that minimize fire risk. Together, they form the foundation of residential storage safety. As capacity grows beyond 10kWh, following these standards becomes even more essential. [pdf]FAQS about Household Energy Storage Discharge Standards
Who should use this energy storage guide?
This guide is designed specifically for homeowners with single-family or two-family homes interested in installing energy storage systems.
What is an energy storage system?
An energy storage system is something that can store energy so that it can be used later as electrical energy. The most popular type of ESS is a battery system and the most common battery system is lithium-ion battery.
Can energy storage systems be installed in certain areas?
Energy storage systems can pose a potential fire risk and therefore shouldn’t be installed in certain areas of the home. NFPA 855 only permits residential ESS to be installed in the following areas:
What is a battery energy storage system?
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) stabilize the electrical grid, ensuring a steady flow of power to homes and businesses regardless of fluctuations from varied energy sources or other disruptions. However, fires at some BESS installations have caused concern in communities considering BESS as a method to support their grids.

Energy Storage Project Development Requirements and Standards
This Energy Storage Best Practice Guide (Guide or BPGs) covers eight key aspect areas of an energy storage project proposal, including Project Development, Engineering, Project Economics, Technical Performance, Construction, Operation, Risk Management, and Codes and Standards. [pdf]FAQS about Energy Storage Project Development Requirements and Standards
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].
Do energy storage systems need to be listed?
It is critical for projects moving forward that execution teams understand that the International Fire Code (IFC), NFPA 855 and NFPA 70 (the National Electric Code) require energy storage systems to be listed, and that UL 9540 is the listing standard applicable.
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).
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.
What is the energy storage safety strategic plan?
Under the Energy Storage Safety Strategic Plan, developed with the support of the Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Energy Storage Program by Pacific Northwest Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, an Energy Storage Safety initiative has been underway since July 2015.

High-power energy storage equipment standards
UL 9540 defines the safety requirements for energy storage systems and equipment. NFPA 855 outlines installation rules that minimize fire risk. Together, they form the foundation of residential storage safety. As capacity grows beyond 10kWh, following these standards becomes even more essential. [pdf]FAQS about High-power energy storage equipment standards
What is the UL 9540 standard for energy storage systems?
For ESS, the standard is UL 9540, Standard for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment. UL 9540 covers the complete ESS, including batery system, power conversion system (PCS), and energy storage man-agement system (ESMS). Each of these components must be qualified to its own standard:
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.
Do energy storage systems need to be certified?
U.S. fire and electrical codes require that energy storage systems be listed, meaning the product must be tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (a private-sector organization recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and certified to meet consensus-based test 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).
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).
What is the energy storage safety strategic plan?
Under the Energy Storage Safety Strategic Plan, developed with the support of the Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Energy Storage Program by Pacific Northwest Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, an Energy Storage Safety initiative has been underway since July 2015.