UL Solutions Enhances Battery Energy Storage System Safety Test Methods to Address Industry Innovations and Evolving Fire Risks
UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) has announced major updates to testing methods for battery energy storage systems (BESS), important for renewable energy storage. The enhanced methods, part of the fifth edition of ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A, address innovations including tests for non-lithium-ion batteries like sodium-ion technology, while focusing on fire risk mitigation.
The updates include clearer criteria for cell-to-cell propagation, high-temperature test methods for various battery chemistries, and protocols for rooftop and open-garage BESS installations. The standard provides a standardized method to evaluate thermal runaway susceptibility and related fire hazards in battery systems.
The test data helps determine necessary safety measures and demonstrates compliance with codes including NFPA 855 and various fire codes. UL 9540A remains the only consensus standard referenced in NFPA 855 for Large-scale Fire Testing in the U.S. and Canada.
UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) ha annunciato importanti aggiornamenti ai metodi di test per i sistemi di accumulo di energia a batteria (BESS), fondamentali per lo stoccaggio di energia rinnovabile. Le nuove procedure, parte della quinta edizione della norma ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A, includono innovazioni come i test per batterie non agli ioni di litio, ad esempio quelle a ioni di sodio, con un’attenzione particolare alla mitigazione del rischio di incendio.
Gli aggiornamenti comprendono criteri più chiari per la propagazione da cella a cella, metodi di test ad alta temperatura per varie chimiche di batterie e protocolli specifici per installazioni BESS su tetti e in garage aperti. La norma fornisce un metodo standardizzato per valutare la suscettibilità al thermal runaway e i rischi di incendio correlati nei sistemi a batteria.
I dati dei test aiutano a definire le misure di sicurezza necessarie e a dimostrare la conformità a normative come NFPA 855 e diversi codici antincendio. UL 9540A rimane l’unico standard di consenso citato in NFPA 855 per i test antincendio su larga scala negli Stati Uniti e in Canada.
UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) ha anunciado importantes actualizaciones en los métodos de prueba para sistemas de almacenamiento de energía en baterías (BESS), esenciales para el almacenamiento de energía renovable. Los métodos mejorados, parte de la quinta edición de la norma ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A, incluyen innovaciones como pruebas para baterías que no son de ion de litio, como la tecnología de ion sodio, centrándose en la mitigación del riesgo de incendio.
Las actualizaciones incluyen criterios más claros para la propagación de célula a célula, métodos de prueba a alta temperatura para diversas químicas de baterías y protocolos para instalaciones BESS en azoteas y garajes abiertos. La norma proporciona un método estandarizado para evaluar la susceptibilidad al sobrecalentamiento térmico y los riesgos de incendio relacionados en sistemas de baterías.
Los datos de prueba ayudan a determinar las medidas de seguridad necesarias y a demostrar el cumplimiento con códigos como NFPA 855 y varios códigos contra incendios. UL 9540A sigue siendo la única norma de consenso referenciada en NFPA 855 para pruebas de incendios a gran escala en EE. UU. y Canadá.
UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS)는 재생 에너지 저장에 중요한 배터리 에너지 저장 시스템(BESS)의 시험 방법에 대한 주요 업데이트를 발표했습니다. ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A 5판의 일부인 향상된 방법은 나트륨 이온 기술과 같은 리튬 이온이 아닌 배터리에 대한 시험을 포함한 혁신을 다루며, 화재 위험 완화에 중점을 둡니다.
업데이트에는 셀 간 전파에 대한 명확한 기준, 다양한 배터리 화학에 대한 고온 시험 방법, 옥상 및 개방형 차고 BESS 설치를 위한 프로토콜이 포함됩니다. 이 표준은 배터리 시스템의 열 폭주 취약성과 관련 화재 위험을 평가하는 표준화된 방법을 제공합니다.
시험 데이터는 필요한 안전 조치를 결정하고 NFPA 855 및 다양한 화재 규정 준수를 입증하는 데 도움을 줍니다. UL 9540A는 미국과 캐나다에서 대규모 화재 시험을 위한 NFPA 855에 인용된 유일한 합의 표준으로 남아 있습니다.
UL Solutions (NYSE : ULS) a annoncé des mises à jour majeures des méthodes de test pour les systèmes de stockage d'énergie par batterie (BESS), essentiels au stockage des énergies renouvelables. Les méthodes améliorées, faisant partie de la cinquième édition de la norme ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A, intègrent des innovations telles que les tests pour les batteries non lithium-ion, comme la technologie sodium-ion, tout en se concentrant sur la réduction des risques d’incendie.
Les mises à jour incluent des critères plus clairs pour la propagation cellule à cellule, des méthodes de test à haute température pour diverses chimies de batteries, ainsi que des protocoles pour les installations BESS sur toits et dans des garages ouverts. La norme fournit une méthode standardisée pour évaluer la susceptibilité au emballement thermique et les risques d’incendie associés dans les systèmes de batteries.
Les données de test aident à déterminer les mesures de sécurité nécessaires et à démontrer la conformité aux codes tels que NFPA 855 et divers codes incendie. UL 9540A reste la seule norme consensuelle référencée dans NFPA 855 pour les tests incendie à grande échelle aux États-Unis et au Canada.
UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) hat bedeutende Aktualisierungen der Prüfverfahren für Batterie-Energiespeichersysteme (BESS) angekündigt, die für die Speicherung erneuerbarer Energien wichtig sind. Die verbesserten Methoden, Teil der fünften Ausgabe der ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A, umfassen Innovationen wie Tests für Nicht-Lithium-Ionen-Batterien, etwa Natrium-Ionen-Technologie, und legen den Fokus auf die Brandrisikominderung.
Die Aktualisierungen beinhalten klarere Kriterien für die Zell-zu-Zell-Ausbreitung, Hochtemperaturprüfverfahren für verschiedene Batterietypen sowie Protokolle für BESS-Installationen auf Dächern und in offenen Garagen. Die Norm bietet eine standardisierte Methode zur Bewertung der Anfälligkeit für thermisches Durchgehen und damit verbundener Brandgefahren in Batteriesystemen.
Die Testergebnisse helfen, notwendige Sicherheitsmaßnahmen zu bestimmen und die Einhaltung von Vorschriften wie NFPA 855 und verschiedenen Brandschutzvorschriften nachzuweisen. UL 9540A bleibt der einzige Konsensstandard, der in NFPA 855 für großflächige Brandtests in den USA und Kanada referenziert wird.
- Enhanced testing capabilities for emerging battery technologies
- Expanded safety standards coverage including rooftop and open-garage installations
- Maintains exclusive status as consensus standard for LSFT in US and Canada
- Increasing safety concerns for large-scale BESS installations requiring additional testing protocols
Insights
UL Solutions enhances BESS testing methods to address emerging battery technologies and installation scenarios, maintaining its position in safety certification.
UL Solutions has implemented significant enhancements to their testing methods for battery energy storage systems (BESS), reflecting updates in the fifth edition of ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A. These changes directly address evolving battery technologies and emerging safety challenges in the rapidly growing energy storage market.
The updated standard focuses on thermal runaway testing—a critical safety concern where chemical reactions can cause batteries to rapidly increase in temperature and pressure, potentially leading to fires and explosions. Key improvements include expanded testing for non-lithium-ion chemistries like sodium-ion batteries, clearer criteria for cell-to-cell propagation assessment, and specialized protocols for rooftop and open-garage installations.
What's particularly notable about these updates is their development through extensive collaboration with the energy storage industry, regulatory authorities, and fire safety experts. This consensus-based approach increases the likelihood of widespread adoption and implementation across the sector.
The testing data generated through this standard serves two crucial functions: determining necessary fire protection measures for BESS installations and demonstrating compliance with installation codes like NFPA 855 and various fire codes—essential considerations for public safety, first responder protection, and property security.
These enhancements align UL Solutions' testing protocols with the evolving technological landscape while maintaining the company's established role in safety certification. As BESS deployments accelerate to support renewable energy integration, maintaining robust safety standards becomes increasingly important for the sustainable growth of the industry.
Resulting from a collaboration with the energy storage industry, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders, the test method updates help promote the safe and sustainable growth of the battery energy storage system market.
UL Solutions has announced significant enhancements to the testing methods for battery energy storage systems which are critical for storing energy from renewable sources like solar and wind. The new testing methods address industry innovations, including test methods for non-lithium-ion battery chemistries, such as sodium-ion batteries, that reflect the evolution of battery technology while continuing to address fire risk mitigation.
The new testing methods address industry innovations, including test methods for non-lithium-ion battery chemistries, such as sodium-ion batteries, that reflect the evolution of battery technology while continuing to address fire risk mitigation.
The changes in UL Solutions test methods reflect updates found in the fifth edition of ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A, the Standard Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems, the American and Canadian national standard for addressing thermal runaway propagation for energy storage systems. The fifth edition was published by UL Standards & Engagement after collaboration with the energy storage industry, regulatory authorities and others serving on the standard’s technical committee.
“We are committed to working with industry to bring safer products to market and empower the safe and sustainable growth of the energy storage market,” said Wesley Kwok, vice president and general manager of the Energy and Industrial Automation group at UL Solutions. “These collaborative efforts with industry stakeholders and the fire safety community ultimately enhance the resilience of our energy infrastructure and protect communities worldwide.”
ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A provides a standardized test method to determine a battery technology’s susceptibility to thermal runaway, a chemical reaction that causes a battery to increase in temperature and pressure rapidly and can lead to significant safety issues, such as fire and explosions. The test method also evaluates fire and explosion hazards due to thermal runaway, such as the ejection of hot particles. After testing, a report provides data used to determine the necessary fire and explosion protection needed for tested BESS installations. The data from this test method helps bolster practical and effective safety measures within the industry.
The data from the report is also used for demonstrating compliance with codes and installation standards, which address public and first responder safety and property protection. These include NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, and fire codes, including the International Fire Code®, the International Residential Code® and NFPA 1, Fire Code.
The original testing methods for thermal runaway propagation for energy storage systems were developed in 2017. These test methods were subsequently revised multiple times in 2018 and served as the proposed requirements, which were later published in the fourth edition of the consensus standard ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A in 2019. Key enhancements to the latest fifth edition include clearer criteria for cell-to-cell propagation, high-temperature test methods for various battery chemistries and testing protocols for emerging applications such as rooftop and open-garage BESS installations.
While ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A focuses specifically on the test method, the related UL standard, UL 9540, the Standard for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment, provides comprehensive product safety criteria and the basis for UL certification of the complete BESS itself. This includes its battery cells, modules and racks, and power conversion, battery management, energy management, communication and safety systems. The coordinated application of UL 9540A and UL 9540 and adherence to relevant installation codes help support the safe deployment of BESS.
“The rapid integration of energy storage across all sectors demands unwavering focus on mitigating fire and explosion risks and close engagement with industry, regulators and other experts. This must be accomplished with a strong foundation of science, as safety and reliability are paramount to the global energy transition,” said Ken Boyce, vice president of Principal Engineering at UL Solutions.
With the number of BESS increasing as energy demand widens, global concerns regarding BESS safety, particularly for large-scale installations, have increased. UL Solutions is also actively involved in developing large-scale fire testing (LSFT) methodologies. In collaboration with the NFPA Technical Committee, a dedicated task group is working to enhance guidance and consensus-based standards for LSFT. UL 9540A remains the only consensus standard explicitly referenced in NFPA 855 for LSFT in the
Learn more about how UL Solutions addresses BESS fire safety.
About UL Solutions
A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries. UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software products and advisory offerings, that support our customers’ product innovation and business growth. The UL Mark serves as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers’ products and reflects an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission. We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly into the future. Our science is your advantage.
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FAQ
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