The 2026 edition of NFPA 855 updates safety and installation requirements for stationary energy storage systems (ESS), with a strong focus on lithium-ion battery systems under Chapter 9.
This article explores the project's technical requirements, market opportunities, and how cutting-edge battery storage solutions can transform renewable energy adoption in remote regions.
The installation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is governed by stringent safety standards as outlined in AS/NZS 5139:2019, specifically in sections 4, 5, and 6. These sections impose explicit restrictions on permissible installation locations to mitigate safety risks.
This guide includes visual mapping of how these codes and standards interrelate, highlights major updates in the 2026 edition of NFPA 855, and identifies where overlapping compliance obligations may arise.
NFPA 70B provides guidance on this and more - it offers a framework that system owners, system operators, and third-party contractors can adopt to create comprehensive, efficient O&M programs that will lead to better-performing assets and safer working conditions.
In July 2023, Somalia announced its new energy storage development policy - a strategic move to stabilize power supply while accelerating renewable energy adoption. Think of it as building a bridge between the country's abundant solar/wind resources and its growing demand for.
On March 13, 2025, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) modified General Order (GO) 167 to establish new standards for the maintenance and operation of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and increase oversight of the emergency response action plans for the facilities.
Referenced in both the IFC and NFPA 1, NFPA 855 is the cornerstone standard for ESS. It establishes requirements for design, construction, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of ESS, including lithium-ion storage.
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