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UL 9540 certification determines whether a battery energy storage system can be safely deployed by evaluating the entire system, not just individual components. It integrates fire testing, battery safety testing, and system-level performance to assess real-world risk, compliance, and how systems behave under both normal and failure conditions.
UL 9540A defines how battery energy storage systems are evaluated during thermal runaway events, providing the data that drives safety, design, and permitting decisions. This guide explains how the test works, why it matters, and what the latest 2026 updates mean for modern BESS deployments.
AI data centers are hitting a power limit as GPU workloads create millisecond-scale load swings that traditional systems cannot handle. High-C battery storage stabilizes these environments, enabling full compute utilization, improving efficiency, and ensuring reliable operation in off-grid and hybrid architectures.
Battery storage is increasingly supporting the grid during peak demand. On March 29, CAISO data showed batteries delivering over 12 GW during the evening ramp, offering a real-world example of how storage is being used to manage the duck curve and improve grid flexibility.
Orange County’s new BESS ordinance replaces a temporary moratorium with strict safety, siting, and permitting requirements. Developers must now navigate tighter setbacks, wildfire restrictions, and fire authority oversight while addressing growing concerns around thermal runaway, fire propagation, and toxic gas risks in energy storage systems.
San Benito County’s temporary BESS moratorium highlights a growing shift in how energy storage projects are evaluated. As safety concerns drive new regulations, jurisdictions are redefining requirements for siting, performance, and risk management, shaping how battery storage systems are designed, approved, and deployed moving forward.
Fairfax County has established new zoning rules for battery energy storage systems, requiring Special Exception approval, defined setbacks, noise compliance, and strict safety standards. This framework reflects a broader shift toward proactive regulation, shaping how energy storage projects are designed, approved, and deployed in densely developed communities.
Thermal management determines how long a BESS lasts, how safely it operates, and whether it meets financial expectations. Uneven heat drives degradation, early augmentation, and performance shortfalls. Immersion cooling eliminates thermal gradients, extends battery life, prevents ignition, and protects ROI by maintaining consistent performance across the system lifecycle.
The Illinois POWER Act is redefining how data centers are powered, requiring developers to integrate clean energy, energy storage, and advanced safety systems. As demand grows, battery energy storage and immersion cooling technologies will play a central role in ensuring reliable, scalable, and safe data center operations.
Vacaville has adopted a new ordinance regulating large battery energy storage systems after a two-year review that began with a moratorium in May 2024. The policy introduces siting and safety requirements while reflecting broader community concerns about fire risk, gas management, and emergency preparedness.
