The UK’s transition to renewable power is properly underway and we’re shifting at tempo in the direction of our net-zero targets.
Battery storage – an thrilling and increasing {industry} – is crucial to unlocking this.
These are massive batteries with an enormous job. They permit us to retailer large quantities of renewable power for when it’s wanted, making a extra dependable, versatile and greener grid.
The roll-out of power storage has been spectacular, with a report 800 MWh of utility-scale storage added in 2022 within the UK.
Nevertheless, UK security regulation has struggled to maintain up with the expansion of the power storage {industry} and that’s an issue.
Regulation inside the UK isn’t presently developed sufficient to fulfill the rigorous well being and security requirements we anticipate to see throughout battery websites.
So, whereas battery storage is a protected and low-risk know-how, we need to increase the bar on UK battery security laws.
Why is security laws lagging behind?
There are a number of components which may clarify why security laws is presently not as developed because it may or ought to be.
The know-how behind battery storage is pretty new, which may result in gaps in information throughout the assorted authorities accountable for regulating the {industry}.
The trajectory of the {industry} is presently behind that of wind or solar energy too, the place the regulation and laws, typically, is extra superior.
Importantly, this isn’t to say that the power storage {industry} is unsafe – the truth is, we’ve seen fairly the alternative.
Within the absence of laws, we’ve seen a sort of self-regulation emerge, with good firms going far past what’s technically or legally required of them.
Laws at Discipline
At Discipline, the place the initiatives we work on are grid-scale energy crops, we use NFPA 855 2023, which is likely one of the best-informed steering paperwork on battery power storage programs (BESS) accessible, together with UL9540 requirements at least.
These make sure that the know-how we’re utilizing has handed sturdy security standards earlier than set up, together with thermal runaway check and fireplace administration situations by means of the design and improvement, building, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of the initiatives.
We additionally embrace the constructing blocks of UK well being and security laws and requirements resembling Well being and Security at Work, CDM – Building (Design and Administration) Laws, and Administration of Well being and Security at Work.
The latter requirements aren’t particular to our {industry} however present an extremely essential framework for guaranteeing security on a storage web site.
Is the US forward of the UK?
Those that work in and across the {industry} will know that there are (understandably) excessive ranges of public scrutiny across the security of battery storage websites.
In some situations, there’s a danger that this warps into misinformation. This solely provides to the necessity for the Division for Power and Internet Zero (DESNZ) to commit to raised power storage system regulation, and shortly.
For my part, most of the parts required for efficient, UK-wide battery security laws are prepared and in place. For instance, the {industry} has tailored H&S greatest follow from overseas.
America is barely forward of the UK relating to battery storage and due to this, their regulation round fireplace security is additional developed too.
Discipline borrows from their method when managing the H&S of our UK websites – however it might be helpful for UK laws to do the identical, fairly than depend on self-regulation.
Right here at Discipline, now we have additionally consulted with related stakeholders on all issues H&S, together with native fireplace authorities.
We do that from an early stage within the design and improvement technique of our initiatives, as this enables for a realistic method to the event of our emergency response plan and technique.
Every battery storage web site is exclusive and with its personal necessities. That’s why shut collaboration with native authorities like the hearth service is essential.
We’ve additionally seen spectacular cross-industry collaboration. Discipline is an energetic member of {industry} group’s Power Storage Community and the Battery Power Storage System Homeowners Discussion board. Collectively, we’re defining what greatest follow seems to be like and guaranteeing all of us keep forward of the curve as know-how and software program adjustments.
‘There’s nice energy in working collectively’
Everybody concerned within the electrical energy storage {industry} is dedicated to holding all those that come into contact with their websites protected, which implies there’s nice energy in working collectively.
There’s little question that the wheels are in movement relating to UK battery security laws.
Certainly, Discipline is only one of many power infrastructure companies feeding into the work of DESNZ on this very challenge.
So whereas the {industry} has made nice progress on well being and security, the legislative framework continues to be a way behind. We’re working laborious to make sure it catches up.
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