What are the energy storage operational safety guidelines?

In addition to NYSERDA’s BESS Guidebook, ESA issued the U.S. Energy Storage Operational Safety Guidelines in December 2019 to provide the BESS industry with a guide to current codes and standards applicable to BESS and provide additional guidelines to plan for and mitigate potential operational hazards.

Why is energy storage important?

Renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind power are intermittent, so storage becomes a key factor in supplying reliable energy. ESS also help meet energy demands during peak times and can supply backup power during natural disasters and other emergencies.

What is the battery energy storage system guidebook?

NYSERDA published the Battery Energy Storage System Guidebook, most-recently updated in December 2020, which contains information and step-by-step instructions to support local governments in New York in managing the development of residential, commercial, and utility-scale BESS in their communities.

Are battery safety standards adequate?

However, the DNV GL report concluded that the most commonly relied-upon standards for battery safety are insufficient to address the threat of thermal runaway (described herein) and explosion. The report recommends additional steps that should be taken, and these are included in the summary below.