Batteries in Everyday Operations: Compliance and Safety in Energy Storage

Batteries are essential to modern power systems, from handheld electronics to large-scale energy storage. For businesses working with battery energy storage systems (BESS), safety compliance is not just a technical requirement. It’s a critical part of protecting facilities, personnel, and long-term investment. As these systems expand in size and capacity, understanding and meeting the latest compliance standards is key to reducing risk and maintaining reliability.

Why Compliance Matters

In recent years, faulty or uncertified lithium-ion batteries have led to serious incidents, including fires, property damage, and loss of life. These cases often trace back to manufacturing flaws, improper design, or failure to follow recognized safety standards. Lithium-ion batteries are popular because they store significant energy in compact form, but that same density can turn hazardous if thermal, electrical, or mechanical safeguards are missing.

The challenge becomes even greater for large installations such as BESS units, which store renewable energy for homes, businesses, and utilities. A single malfunctioning cell can compromise an entire system. Without proper certification and ongoing maintenance, failures can cause overheating or thermal runaway events that threaten equipment and people nearby.

The Science Behind the Risk

Lithium-ion batteries operate by shuttling lithium ions between two electrodes: a cathode and an anode. During charging and discharging, this exchange stores and releases energy efficiently.

But when overcharged, exposed to heat, or damaged, internal reactions can become unstable. Once temperatures rise beyond control, the cell can ignite or explode.

Thermal runaway remains one of the most serious hazards in this field. In 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration reported a sharp rise in lithium-ion battery fires on aircraft, underscoring the danger of defective or mishandled batteries (Muntean & Cooper, 2025). For large-scale systems containing thousands of cells, even one compromised battery can start a chain reaction with severe outcomes.

Meeting and Maintaining Standards

Compliance frameworks are in place to prevent these risks before systems reach the market or the field. Standards such as UL 9540 and UL 1973 outline strict requirements for system design, fire protection, electrical safety, and installation practices. Testing procedures evaluate how batteries respond under stress, including exposure to heat, impact, or electrical faults, and confirm that protective measures work as intended.

Adhering to these standards doesn’t just meet regulatory expectations. It strengthens reliability, improves performance, and supports confidence in renewable energy technologies. Third-party testing organizations help manufacturers and installers verify compliance through design reviews, environmental assessments, and functional testing before systems are deployed.

Strengthening the Industry Through Knowledge and Collaboration

Progress in battery safety depends on both technology and awareness. Material scientists are developing safer electrode structures, flame-retardant separators, and coatings that reduce thermal spread. At the same time, proper training and education help ensure safe use, storage, and handling. Clear labeling, charger compatibility, and site maintenance all play a role in reducing risk over a system’s lifetime.

The path forward requires ongoing collaboration among manufacturers, testing partners, and regulators. Compliance should be integrated into every phase of production, from cell design and system assembly to installation and maintenance. By treating compliance as a continuous process rather than a final checkpoint, companies can better protect their assets and the people who rely on them.

Building Trust Through Compliance

Battery safety and regulatory compliance go hand in hand with business continuity. As renewable energy and electrification expand, organizations that prioritize safety standards demonstrate leadership and accountability in a fast-growing industry. Working with experienced testing and certification experts ensures every system performs safely under real-world conditions.

Visit TestingPartners.com to learn how we help companies meet their battery safety and BESS compliance goals with confidence.

Reference

Muntean, P., & Cooper, A. (2025, August 22). FAA warns of rise in lithium-ion battery fires on planes. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/22/travel/battery-fire-risks-planes.