CSE's Clean Energy Insights #3: Ensuring Quality and Safety in Energy Storage Projects

Quality and safety are critical factors in the success of energy storage projects. As the industry continues to evolve with rapid technological advancements, maintaining high standards in these areas is more important than ever. This edition of CSE's Clean Energy Insights will explore key safety best practices, the unique standards for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and the importance of early engagement and project management to mitigate risks.

Safety Best Practices:

The energy storage industry often follows similar codes and standards prevalent in the clean energy sector, such as those set by the NEC, IEEE, and UL. However, NFPA 855 specifically addresses the unique requirements of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This standard focuses on emergency planning, Hazard Mitigation Analysis, and fire protection and suppression systems. Additionally, it outlines the responsibilities of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) in ensuring the safety of these systems.

To mitigate fire risks associated with battery operations, nearly every vendor and OEM now integrates safety equipment. This includes a fire detection and alarm system, smoke sensors, a Fire Suppression system, and backup power (UPS) to collect critical data during emergencies. Site-level fire detection and monitoring systems are also being installed, which coordinate with local fire stations for immediate communication during fire events. Innovations in design efficiency have also enabled OEMs to minimize the space required for the Balance of Plant (BOP), allowing for the installation of additional energy cells inside the container.

Maintaining Project Consistency and Efficiency:

In-house teams are critically important in maintaining project consistency and efficiency. At CS Energy, key people remain involved from the bid stage to final execution, ensuring better cost confidence and more control over the schedule. This approach also ensures better coordination with clients from day one and establishes faster communication among all stakeholders. Our dedicated Project Management Office ensures that all projects follow company standards and processes when developing project-specific execution plans.

Managing cost and schedule risks:

Managing cost and schedule risks is a significant challenge in energy storage projects. Early engagement with the project owner or developer is key. CS Energy's extensive experience with a wide range of technologies and interconnection processes has enabled us to successfully handle key challenges during project execution. Various commercial tools are available to enable EPC-Developer/Asset Owner partnerships, helping to mitigate schedule and cost risks. Key points where early engagement provides significant value include the availability of auxiliary power, space requirements for different BESS enclosures, and connecting the project with the point of interconnection. By addressing these aspects early in the process, potential risks can be effectively managed, ensuring the successful completion of energy storage projects.

Our Energy Storage Projects:

CS Energy has worked closely with the Owner to build the following complex energy storage projects:

1. Massachusetts Landfill Solar + Storage Project - This was a one of a kind project, where we installed battery containers on a landfill site. Batteries needed to be installed On-site inside the containers, and with proper project planning and design intelligence, we successfully installed battery stacks inside the enclosure which was 4 feet above grade.
2. Arkansas Microgrid Solar + Storage Project - This project is one of the largest behind the meter microgrid project where the load facility was more than 30-40 years old. With detailed microgrid analysis, CS Energy optimized the size of the PV and BESS facility and implemented an islanding solution. This enables the production facility to get power from solar and battery storage even in the event of grid outage.
3. New Jersey Standalone BESS Project - Although most of the OEM is coming with fully integrated containerized solution where battery modules are fully pre-integrated, this project required us to install every module inside the battery containers. Not only did we perform this job but also achieved mechanical completion two weeks ahead of the schedule.

Takeaways:

Prioritizing quality and safety in energy storage projects is essential for achieving successful outcomes. By adhering to stringent standards and fostering early engagement with stakeholders, CS Energy ensures that each project is executed efficiently and effectively, mitigating risks and delivering reliable energy solutions.

Latest updates from CS Energy | June 2024

2024 NextGen Rally

Join us in celebrating the success of our 2024 NextGen Rally! This event, organized by CS Energy's WiRE group and several incredible volunteers, brought our new team members together for a day filled with networking, fun, and competitive activities. We've strengthened our team spirit and enhanced our collaboration and communication skills while having a fantastic time!

Celebrating Women in Engineering

Today, we would like to highlight two talented women in our engineering department: Tina Ramachandrudu, the Director of Engineering, and Surbhiben Bansal, the Electrical Engineer!

At CS Energy, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation and excellence. Join us in celebrating the contributions of these remarkable women and women in engineering worldwide. Together, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable future!