DNV GL Announces Initiative to Drive Secure Grid-connected Energy Storage Systems

DNV GL, a leading global energy advisory and testing authority, today announced its GRIDSTOR Joint Industry Project, which aims to develop a recommended practice to drive the safe and secure implementation of grid-connected energy storage systems forward and to accelerate the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid. The global transition towards a sustainable energy mix requires more flexible grid systems, as renewable energy sources are variable and should be adapted to energy systems originally designed for constant supply sources. In order to accommodate the growth of sustainable energy, grid-connected energy storage balances the peaks and troughs of variable sources, and is becoming a vital element in the design of electrical networks.

The GRIDSTOR initiative was spurred by the realization that the energy industry lacked a comprehensive framework covering all elements relevant for grid-connected energy storage systems. The gap was revealed by a DNV GL energy storage survey conducted in January 2014 which explored existing energy storage standards. The absence of this recommended practice hampers the industry from demonstrating the validity of energy storage systems and increases the risk of damaging the energy storage sector as a whole.

GRIDSTOR will be launched in January 2015 with 15 select partners — from international suppliers to system integrators, end users and regulators — who are involved with storage systems and can deliver key input in developing the recommended practice. This consortium will create a transparent and globally-recognised recommended practice focusing on three main aspects of grid-connected energy storage: system safety, operation and performance.

With several distinguishing features, a DNV GL recommended practice is more than just a guideline. It is the result of a collaborative effort of an industry-wide consortium. Our involvement, as an internationally-recognised independent certification organisation and expert in energy storage, assures broad acceptance and compliance. Like all of the 100+ recommended practices DNV GL manages, GRIDSTOR will be extensively peer reviewed, professionally formulated and published, and regularly updated.

“With the rise of renewable energy sources into the grid, the need for a comprehensive energy storage framework recommended practice is stronger than ever,” commented Ali Nourai, Global Director for the Energy Storage Segment at DNV GL. “The successful deployment of tomorrow’s smart electricity grids requires clarity and widespread agreement on rules and regulations for energy storage systems. DNV GL has more than 100 years of experience working in close cooperation with stakeholders across the energy spectrum to create strategies, improve technologies and establish standards that drive the industry forward. From experience we understand that collaboration is key to achieving industry-wide improvements. Through GRIDSTOR we will combine our technical market expertise with interdisciplinary resources to achieve unified consensus and create market standardisation, enabling all stakeholders to accelerate and expand their energy storage implementation,” added Nourai.

The company is at the forefront of enabling energy storage to be a crucial component of the transition to a more flexible electricity supply. DNV GL’s commitment to innovation in storage is evidenced by the launch of GRIDSTOR, as well as its early development of strategic tools for storage valuation and its multi-million dollar investment in a state-of –the-art Energy Storage Technology Testing and Commercialization Center. The Center, located in Rochester, NY, offers a unique suite of test, validation, and independent performance and lifecycle testing at different temperature levels, as well as advisory capabilities that are necessary to introduce new energy storage technologies and to accelerate integration of renewable and distributed energy.