UL Solutions , a global leader in applied safety science, has launched a new testing protocol designed to meet the growing demand from fire service organizations for improved evaluations of residential battery energy storage systems (BESS). These systems are commonly paired with rooftop solar installations and, in some cases, wind turbines, allowing homeowners to store excess renewable energy for use during periods of low production.
Residential BESS play a crucial role in protecting users from power outages and grid fluctuations while offering potential cost savings by maximizing the use of stored energy. The market for these systems is projected to grow significantly, reaching over $2 billion by 2028, driven by rising energy prices, blackout risks, and government incentives.
The newly published UL 9540B Outline of Investigation for Large-Scale Fire Test for Residential Battery Energy Storage Systems establishes a rigorous testing protocol. It focuses on evaluating the fire propagation behavior of BESS in residential settings, particularly during thermal runaway events that could lead to internal fires.
UL Solutions has been proactive in addressing fire safety concerns associated with BESS since their inception. The standards UL 9540 and UL 9540A were previously developed to evaluate thermal runaway fire propagation in energy storage systems. UL 9540B complements these standards by specifically addressing the unique challenges posed by residential BESS, ensuring a holistic approach to safety and fire behavior evaluation.
The testing protocol outlined in UL 9540B is intended to provide fire officials with crucial data to assess the safety of residential BESS installations. It does not replace existing standards such as UL 9540A but enhances them by generating large-scale fire data for better regulatory compliance and safety assessment.
Robert Marshall, deputy chief of San Mateo Consolidated Fire Protection District, emphasized the collaborative effort in developing UL 9540B, aiming to enhance fire safety without hindering the deployment of residential BESS. Milan Dotlich, vice president and general manager of UL Solutions’ Energy and Industrial Automation group, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to leveraging safety science expertise to support the evolving landscape of renewable energy transition.
The introduction of UL 9540B underscores UL Solutions’ dedication to advancing safety standards in energy storage, contributing to safer and more reliable residential energy solutions amid global energy transition efforts.
