New standard to help ensure battery storage sector safety

A new standard designed to help ensure battery storage systems’ safety, consistency and reliability has been released in a bid to help fill industry knowledge gaps. The standard, AS/NZS 5139:2019, was developed for battery manufacturers, system integrators, designers and installers, and covers safety and installation requirements for battery systems connected to power conversion equipment, according to Standards Australia.

It will supersede AS 4086.2-1997 and includes information relating to newer battery technologies, such as lithium-based batteries, as well as lead–acid batteries and other technologies. Sandy Atkins, who was on the Standards Australia Technical Committee responsible for the standard, said the document takes a risk-based approach to ensuring “appropriate installation methods are applied depending on the hazards that are identified”.

“The work calls for consideration of available information, safety objectives and the growth of new technology in complex areas,” he said. “The work on battery storage standards in Australia will continue, with this being a new standard it is expected there will be future refinement as the industry evolves,” said Standards Australia Head of Stakeholder Engagement Daniel Chidgey. The standard will take over from AS 4086.2-1997 three months after its 11 October publish date in January 2020.

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