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UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science, has announced important updates to its testing methodologies for battery energy storage systems (BESS). These systems play a crucial role in storing electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind. As the world increasingly shifts toward clean energy, ensuring the safety and performance of energy storage systems has become more critical than ever. The enhanced testing methods introduced by UL Solutions address recent technological advancements in the energy storage sector. In addition to traditional lithium-ion batteries, the updated methods now include newer battery chemistries, such as sodium-ion batteries. This expansion reflects the industry’s evolving needs and emphasizes the importance of addressing fire risks associated with different battery types. These updates are part of the newly released fifth edition of the ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A standard, titled “Standard Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems.” This standard, jointly recognized in the United States and Canada, was developed by UL Standards & Engagement in collaboration with experts from the energy storage industry, regulatory authorities, and technical committees. It provides a structured approach to evaluating how thermal runaway events—dangerous reactions that cause rapid increases in temperature and pressure—can lead to fires, explosions, and the release of hot materials in battery systems. The updated test method enables a detailed assessment of a battery’s susceptibility to thermal runaway and the hazards it may pose. The data obtained from these tests is crucial in determining the level of fire and explosion protection required for safe installation. Furthermore, this data helps manufacturers and system designers comply with essential safety codes and installation standards. These include NFPA 855, the International Fire Code, the International Residential Code, and NFPA 1, all of which aim to protect both the public and emergency responders. Wesley Kwok, vice president and general manager of the Energy and Industrial Automation group at UL Solutions, said in a statement, “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. These collaborative efforts with industry stakeholders and the fire safety community ultimately enhance the resilience of our energy infrastructure and protect communities worldwide.” Ken Boyce, vice president of Principal Engineering at UL Solutions, stated, “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.” Originally introduced in 2017, the UL 9540A testing method was revised in 2018 and formally included in the fourth edition of the standard in 2019. The latest fifth edition brings several key improvements. These include clearer criteria for assessing fire propagation from one battery cell to another, high-temperature test methods for different battery chemistries, and new protocols for innovative applications such as rooftop and open-garage battery energy storage installations. While UL 9540A specifically addresses fire propagation testing, it is closely linked with UL 9540, the Standard for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment. UL 9540 provides comprehensive safety criteria for the entire energy storage system, including its battery cells, modules, racks, power conversion systems, battery and energy management systems, and all safety and communication systems. Together, UL 9540 and UL 9540A offer a complete framework to assess and certify the safety of BESS installations. As the deployment of BESS continues to grow worldwide, especially in large-scale applications, concerns around safety have intensified. To further support industry safety efforts, UL Solutions is actively working on developing large-scale fire testing (LSFT) methodologies. In partnership with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee, a dedicated task group is creating guidance and consensus-based standards for these large-scale tests. UL 9540A remains the only consensus standard currently referenced in NFPA 855 for LSFT applications in both the United States and Canada. With these advancements, UL Solutions continues to play a leading role in supporting the safe development and deployment of energy storage systems, contributing to a safer and more sustainable energy future. |
