In December 2017 Standards Australia hosted a three day meeting to progress critical work on the development of DR AS/NZS 5139, Electrical Installations – Safety of battery systems for use with power conversion equipment.

The technical committee EL-042, Renewable Energy Power Supply Systems and Equipment, worked through a restructure of the standard to remove building requirements and redraft placement and location requirements previously included in the standard.

Mr Sandy Atkins (Clean Energy Council), Co-chair of EL-042, was positive about the progress achieved during the three day meeting.

“We are pleased to have reached an effective and coordinated approach towards the continued development of the energy storage installation standard.

“I would like to acknowledge the substantial work undertaken by the drafting group prior to the meeting which helped form this approach,” said Mr Atkins.

In 2018, the standard will be issued for a second round of public comment to allow for further community consultation.

Mr Steve Blume of the Smart Energy Council acknowledged the need for the standard as well as continued stakeholder consultation.

“We are pleased to see this standard progressing, and believe that once published, it will support the development of the home battery storage industry, while also delivering high levels of safety to the consumer”, said Mr Blume.

Progress on the development of AS/NZS 5139 has been complimented by the recent adoption of AS IEC 62619:2017, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline and other non-acid electrolyte – Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries.

Together with an Industry Best Practice guide, being facilitated by the Electrical Safety Office of the Queensland Government with all major stakeholders, AS IEC 62619:2017 will further support the safe installation of battery systems.

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