Battery random inspection of energy storage projects

What are the guidelines for battery management systems in energy storage applications?

Guidelines under development include IEEE P2686 “Recommended Practice for Battery Management Systems in Energy Storage Applications” (set for balloting in 2022). This recommended practice includes information on the design, installation, and configuration of battery management systems (BMSs) in stationary applications.

How often should energy storage systems be inspected?

For example, an Energy Storage Safety 101 presentation during a May 2020 meeting of the California Energy Storage Alliance recommended semi-annual steps such as visual inspections of the overall system, examining the HVAC (cooling), and checks on the ESS software control and communications.

What is a battery energy storage system (BESS)?

The most dominant technology being deployed in recent years across the electric grid are battery energy storage systems (BESSs), which interconnect to both distribution and transmission systems.

What is a battery energy storage system?

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) stabilize the electrical grid, ensuring a steady flow of power to homes and businesses regardless of fluctuations from varied energy sources or other disruptions. However, fires at some BESS installations have caused concern in communities considering BESS as a method to support their grids.

Why are battery energy storage systems becoming more popular?

This recognition, coupled with the proliferation of state-level renewable portfolio standards and rapidly declining lithium-ion battery costs, has led to a surge in the deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Should the energy storage industry shift to a predictive monitoring and maintenance process?

This article recommends that the energy storage industry shift to a predictive monitoring and maintenance process as the next step in improving BESS safety and operations. Predictive maintenance is already employed in other utility applications such as power plants, wind turbines, and PV systems.