
UL 9540 provides a basis for safety of energy storage systems that includes reference to critical technology safety standards and codes, such as UL 1973, the Standard for Batteries for Use in Stationary, Vehicle Auxiliary Power and Light Electric Rail (LER) Applications; UL 1741, the Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources; IEEE 1547 and 1547.1; CSA FC1; NFPA 70; NFPA 2; ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code; and ASME B31 piping codes. [pdf]
Table 3.1. 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.
The Standard covers a comprehensive review of energy storage systems, covering charging and discharging, protection, control, communication between devices, fluids movement and other aspects.
Energy storage systems (ESS) consist of equipment that can store energy safely and conveniently, so that companies can use the stored energy whenever needed.
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).
It is recognized that electric energy storage equipment or systems can be a single device providing all required functions or an assembly of components, each having limited functions. Components having limited functions shall be tested for those functions in accordance with this standard.
The goals of the workshop were to: 1) bring together all of the key stakeholders in the energy storage community, 2) share knowledge on safety validation, commissioning, and operations, and 3) identify the current gaps in understanding, managing, standardizing and validating safety in energy storage systems.

Filling gaps in energy storage C&S presents several challenges, including (1) the variety of technologies that are used for creating ESSs, and (2) the rapid pace of advances in storage technology and applications, e.g., battery technologies are making significant breakthroughs relative to more established. . The challenge in any code or standards development is to balance the goal of ensuring a safe, reliable installation without hobbling technical. . The pace of change in storage technology outpaces the following example of the technical standards development processes. All published. The IEC 62933 series of standards specifically addresses various aspects of ESS, including testing methods (IEC 62933-2-1), safety requirements for grid-integrated ESS (IEC 62933-5-2), safety considerations for grid-integrated ESS (IEC 62933-5-1), planning and performance assessment of ESS (IEC 62933-3-1), and guidance on environmental issues (IEC 62933-4-1). [pdf]
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.
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).
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.
The protocol is serving as a resource for development of U.S. standards and has been formatted for consideration by IEC Technical Committee 120 on energy storage systems. Without this document, committees developing standards would have to start from scratch. WHAT’S NEXT FOR PERFORMANCE?
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].
It is recognized that electric energy storage equipment or systems can be a single device providing all required functions or an assembly of components, each having limited functions. Components having limited functions shall be tested for those functions in accordance with this standard.

UL 9540 provides a basis for safety of energy storage systems that includes reference to critical technology safety standards and codes, such as UL 1973, the Standard for Batteries for Use in Stationary, Vehicle Auxiliary Power and Light Electric Rail (LER) Applications; UL 1741, the Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources; IEEE 1547 and 1547.1; CSA FC1; NFPA 70; NFPA 2; ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code; and ASME B31 piping codes. [pdf]
This Standard specifies the electrical installation requirements for inverter energy systems and grid protection devices with ratings up to 10 kVA for single-phase units, or up to 30 kVA for three-phase units, for the injection of electric power through an electrical installation to the electricity distribution network.
PV and storage inverters and some other products are listed to the safety standard UL 1741, which requires grid interactive equipment to pass the tests in IEEE 1547.1. UL is preparing to publish updates to this standard in early August to reference the new tests in the 2020 version.
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.
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].
Table 3.1. 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.
The “UL9540 Complete Guide – Standard for Energy Storage Systems” explains how UL9540 ensures the safety and efficiency of energy storage systems (ESS). It details the critical criteria for certification, including electrical safety, battery management systems, thermal stability, and system integrity.
We are deeply committed to excellence in all our endeavors.
Since we maintain control over our products, our customers can be assured of nothing but the best quality at all times.