Call for Australian standards for battery storage

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has made a submission to Standards Australia urging the authority to develop comprehensive standards that ensure the safety and interoperability of residential and small commercial battery storage systems.

ENA Chief Executive Officer John Bradley said energy networks recognise the significant role that energy storage can play in the future of Australia’s energy mix, claiming, “A robust standards framework can pave the way for the early economic integration of this innovative technology into the grid.”

The ENA submission says standards for battery storage could speed up its safe, efficient adoption and usher in the transformation of Australia’s energy system. According to Bradley, the energy storage standards project should be a priority due to the pace of technology adoption and the rate at which energy storage costs are falling.

“Storage costs are rapidly falling and energy management software is getting smarter, increasing the potential benefits to energy utilities and electricity customers,” he said.

“With the right incentives, customers with energy storage systems could benefit by providing energy on demand to the network to get more value from their battery.”

Bradley said it will be important to establish storage standards addressing performance measurement and installation safety in Australia’s unique environment.

“Energy networks welcome the initiative of Standards Australia and the Clean Energy Council to set out a clear plan for developing storage standards in a timely way,” he said.

The ENA’s submission to Standards Australia is available at http://www.ena.asn.au/publications/submissions-and-letters.