H2scan BSS Catalog 2025 - Flipbook - Page 23
Reprinted from
SE 2023 Volume 36, No. 3
A Primer on the Codes and Standards Governing Battery
Safety and Compliance
A Primer on the Codes
By Jeff Donato, H2scan Corp.
Batteries have greatly influenced the utility industry, and the evolution
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Electric Vehicle Integration: As electric vehicles become more
of battery chemistries has revolutionized their applications. With the
prevalent, their batteries can be used to store excess renewable energy
emergence of new technologies and advancements in existing ones,
and discharge it back to the grid during periods of high demand.
standards committees and safety code writers are working to develop best
practices and establish minimum safety guidelines.
BATTERY TYPES & CHEMISTRIES
Over the years, lead-acid batteries have been the primary choice for utility
These groups, comprised of volunteers from diverse industry segments, are
batteries, enhanced with additives like calcium, antimony, and selenium.
actively involved in shaping the standards and model codes that govern
These additives were employed to optimize their performance in terms
battery usage and safety. Their efforts are aimed at keeping pace with the
of service life, cycle life, and load profile, specifically tailored for various
rapidly evolving landscape of battery technology and ensuring its safe and
applications.
efficient implementation.
BATTERY APPLICATIONS
In environments with demanding conditions, where operating
temperatures surpassed the capacity of lead acid batteries, Nickel
Batteries are used in a variety of battery energy storage (BESS)
Cadmium batteries emerged as a crucial solution due to their wider
applications. Below is a list of common utility market applications and how
temperature range. However, during the 1990s alternative technologies
batteries are used to support operations:
gained popularity and entered the mainstream. These included lithium-ion
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Grid Stabilization: A stronger grid is required to support increased
batteries, lithium metal polymer batteries, sodium-based (salt) batteries,
power requirements and demand. More devices are becoming
flow batteries, and other innovative energy storage technologies.
electrified, including automobiles, and are demanding more energy.
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Energy storage can help stabilize the grid by providing energy back to
Each battery type contains different chemistries that has proven beneficial
the grid when the demand rises and store energy when excess power
for specific applications:
is available.
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battery chemistries such as Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and Lithium
generate electricity intermittently, and their outputs fluctuate with
Cobalt Oxide (LCO) which are commonly used in battery energy
weather conditions. Batteries will store excess energy during periods
storage systems (BESS). They have high energy density, long cycle
of high renewable generation and discharge the batteries when
life and fast response times. Depending on the chemistry, some have
generation is low. As a system, this provides a more consistent and
higher deflagration potential than others causing fire code to regulate
reliable source of energy.
where they can be installed or impose additional site requirements.
Microgrids and Off-Grid Systems: Batteries help create micro grids
These batteries are typically used in energy storage applications
including grid stabilization, renewable energy, microgrids, demand
that can operate independently from the main power grid. In remote
response, peak shaving, and backup power.
areas together with renewable energies, batteries can provide
electricity to communities without access to the central power grid.
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batteries have advantages with scalability and long duration energy
storage (several hours). They store energy in liquid electrolytes
have powered switches, SCADA control systems and end users such
contained in separate tanks allowing decoupling of power and
as data centers, telecommunications companies, and other mission
energy capacity. Flow batteries are great in applications for load
critical infrastructure for organizations.
Demand Response: Batteries can be used where electricity consumers
reduce their demand, following a request from their utility, during peak
shifting, frequency regulation, and grid backup power.
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storage. They operate at high temperatures (~300-340 degrees
managing demand fluctuations and alleviating strain on the grid.
C) and use molten sodium and sulfur as active materials. They
Peak Shaving: Building owners can reduce their maximum hourly
provide high output power and are used in grid-level applications to
power requirement by knowing the load signature of the building and
stabilize frequency, smooth renewable energy output, and provide
peak consumption intervals. Peak shaving lets these consumers use
batteries to reduce electric charges from peak usage where price per
kW is higher to off-peak usage where the price per kW is lower.
90000266
pg.23
Sodium-Sulfur (NaS) Batteries: These have high energy density and
long-life cycle making them a good choice for large-scale energy
hours in exchange for incentives. This helps reduce peak loads while
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Flow Batteries: These include chemistries such as Vanadium Redox
Flow Batteries (VRFB) and Zinc-Bromine Flow Batteries (ZBFB). Flow
Grid Resilience and Backup Power: Batteries provide backup power
during outages and emergencies. This includes substations that
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Lithium Ion and Lithium Metal Polymer Batteries: These include
Renewable Energy: Renewable sources of energy (solar, wind)
backup power.
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Lead-Acid Batteries: Lead acid batteries have been used for
