NFPA 855: Why is it so important for the safe operation of energy storage systems?
NFPA 855: The Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems
preventive (fire), NFPA855 standards can help energy storage system owners and operators to establish detailed safety precautions and emergency operation methods in the early stage of energy storage operation, significantly reduce the incidence of safety accidents, and provide energy storage operation quality.
Wind power, solar energy, hydropower, geothermal energy, these are just examples of renewable energy sources. Unfortunately, the business of energy storage can be very dangerous. So much so that in 2020, the National Fire Protection Association enacted NFPA 855-Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems.
Wind turbines, solar, hydropower, geothermal energy, these are only some examples of renewable energy sources. Unfortunately, the business of storing energy can be incredibly dangerous. So much so that in 2020 the National Fire Protection Association developed NFPA 855 - Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems.
Designing a way to safely store renewable energy for later use is essential to achieving a green energy future. This article will talk about the basic security measures that each ESS system facility must take. In other words, this article is not intended to replace existing safety standards, but more as a supplement.
Devising a way to safely store renewable energy for later use is essential for attaining a greener future. This article will touch on basic safety measures every ESS facility must take. That said, this article is not to be used as a replacement for the printed standard, but rather a resource to accompany it.
What is an energy storage system?
Although there are many ways to generate electricity, there are currently only a few methods for energy storage. Stationary energy storage systems typically include a structure of large batteries (connected to renewable energy sources), electronic control systems, inverters, and thermal management systems. These system components are grouped together and can be placed outdoors or indoors.
While there are many ways to generate electricity, there are only a handful of ways to store it for later. Stationary energy storage systems usually refer to structures that house large batteries (connected to a renewable energy source), an electronic control system, inverter, and thermal management system. These components are all in one enclosure either outside or within a building.
These large batteries must then be recharged to provide power to the grid or electrical utility. There are storage systems based on different principles, including:
These large batteries must then be charged to provide electricity to the grid or for the facility utilizing the power. There are a handful of different storage systems being developed for this purpose, these include:
compressed air energy storage-The excess energy is used to compress the air and stored, and the kinetic energy of the air is released to drive the turbine, thereby generating electricity.
Compressed air energy storage - Excess energy is used to compress air and store it, to eventually release it for the purpose of turning a turbine which generates electricity
mechanical gravitational energy storage-the use of gravitational potential energy to generate electricity by lifting and lowering objects.
Mechanical gravity energy storage - Electricity is generated by the pull of gravity through lifting and lowering objects.
Liquid battery energy storage-the use of chemical energy to make a fuel cell that can be charged and discharged. such as lead batteries or lithium-ion batteries
Flow batteries for energy storage - Chemical energy is used to create rechargeable fuel cells. Think of lead batteries or lithium-ion batteries.
NFPA 855: Basic Fire Code Requirements
the following is by no means a complete list of regulations that energy storage facilities must meet. Instead, it includes some of the most important best practices for stationary energy storage systems, in addition to being familiar with NFPA 855 is the employer's responsibility. It can be found for free on the NFPA's website, as it is technically a voluntary standard to comply.
The following is by no means the complete list of regulations that facilities must comply with. Instead, it includes some of the most important best practice methods that facilities must remember if a stationary energy storage system is present. That said, it is the employer's responsibility to become familiar with NFPA 855. It can be found on the NFPA's website for free since it is technically a voluntary standard.
The first rule we're going to talk about 4.1.1 ESS gas release. The NFPA standard directly states: "An ESS shall not, during normal charging, discharging, and use, release toxic or highly toxic gases in the room or space in which it is located that would cause the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) to be exceeded. "
The first rule that we will touch on is 4.1.1 ESS Gas Release. The NFPA standard directly states, “ESS shall not release toxic or highly toxic gas creating conditions in excess of the permissible exposure limit (PEL) in the room or space in which they are located during normal charging, discharging, and use ."
one of the biggest concerns of ESS energy storage systems, especially lithium-ion batteries, is so-called thermal runaway. These batteries generate a considerable amount of heat, which requires an adequate cooling system to control the temperature of the ESS. However, if it is out of control, lithium batteries can produce toxic gases and even explode.
One of the biggest concerns of ESS, particularly with lithium-ion batteries, is what is called thermal runaway. These batteries create quite a bit of heat, which requires a sufficient cooling system to control the temperature of the ESS. However, if it gets out of control, the lithium battery can begin to spew toxic gases and even explode.
Emergency Operations Plan Requirements
in the past, contingency protocols for ESS are scarce. Take, for example, the tragic events that occurred at the energy storage project in Souris, Arizona. In 2019, when four firefighters went to deal with an emergency involving a thermal runaway lithium-ion battery, a huge explosion almost killed them. Without safety data sheets, utilities and battery manufacturers have limited emergency planning preparedness, and staff are not correct about the use of gas for fire suppression. In a dangerous environment, the lack of information is absolutely no good.
Emergency protocol in the past for ESS has been sparse. Take for example the tragic incident at an energy storage system facility in Surprise, Arizona. In 2019, a massive explosion almost killed four firefighters when they went to respond to an emergency involving thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries. There were no SDSs, the utility and battery maker had a limited response plan, and the staff were incorrect about the gas used for fire suppression. Missing information is never OK in dangerous environments.
The following are the necessary requirements for a contingency plan for dealing with ESS. If the right requirements are followed, energy storage systems can hopefully avoid serious injuries and deaths in crisis situations:
The following are the necessary requirements for an emergency operations plan dealing with ESS. If followed correctly, the facility can hope to prevent serious injuries and death when it comes to emergency response:
1. Define procedures for safely shutting down, de-energizing or isolating equipment in an emergency. This will reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and personal injury
1. Define procedures for safe shutdown, de-energizing, or isolation of equipment in emergency situations. This will reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and personal injuries
2. Define the safe start-up protocol after the emergency
2. Define the safe start-up protocol after emergency conditions have passed
3. Define procedures for checking and testing ESS related alarms, interlocks and controls
3. Define the procedures for inspection and testing of ESS related alarms, interlocks, and controls
4. Explain the procedures to be followed after being notified of a hazardous condition, including shutting down equipment, summoning service and maintenance personnel, and notifying the fire department of potentially hazardous conditions
4. Explain the procedures to be followed upon being notified of dangerous conditions, including shutting down equipment, summoning service and repair personnel, and providing notification to the fire department of potentially hazardous conditions
5. Determine the emergency procedures to be followed in the event of fire, explosion, liquid or vapor release, damage to critical moving parts, or other hazardous situations.
5. Define the emergency procedures to be followed in case of fire, explosion, release of liquids or vapors, damage to critical moving parts, or other dangerous conditions
6. The safety data sheet will help to record and identify the necessary safety hazards or risks.
6. The presence of safety data sheets that will address safety concerns and extinguishment when needed
7. Procedures for handling ESS equipment damaged in a fire or other emergency, and any contact information for qualified personnel who can safely remove the damaged ESS equipment
7. Procedures for dealing with ESS equipment damaged in a fire or other emergency event, as well as any contact information for qualified personnel that can safety remove damaged ESS equipment
8. Other necessary procedures as determined by AHJ
8. Other procedures as determined necessary by the AHJ
9. How and when to rehearse these emergency procedures
9. How and when to perform drills of these emergency procedures
this is a basic checklist that you can use to create a contingency plan for your ESS. In other words, in order to ensure the safety of the facility's workers and emergency responders, you can add any additional protocols that you deem necessary.
10. This is the basic checklist that you can use to establish an emergency plan for the ESS in your facility. That said, you may add any extra protocol you deem necessary for the safety of both the facility's workers and emergency responders.
Above is introduction to NFPA 855 Standards, for reference only, some of the material comes from Jiran Carbon Technology and does not represent the view of Ancojet's testing technology and is responsible for its authenticity. If you are involved in the content of the work, copyright and other issues, please contact us within 30 days, we will delete the content in the first time!
