CATL published a document in 2024 that looked at BESS lifecycle and durability [1]. BESS = Battery Energy Storage System and covers everything from Home, Commercial through to grid storage. In this instance CATL were looking at grid storage units.
As they point out, the characteristics:
- High Voltage
- Multiple parallel strings
- Large capacity
- Long Life
- Complex environmental and working conditions
when compared to automotive they see the challenges:
- multiple subsystems
- new application scenarios
- less distinct customer requirements
- short development cycle
- less test and varification
- no station-level system joint commissioning in the process
This post has been built based on the support of and sponsorship from: Quarto Technical Services, Eatron Technologies and About:Energy
They also show a starting list of tests, broken down by level:
- Cell
- vibration
- mechanical impact
- cycle performance
- expansion force
- storage performance
- temperature shock
- overcharge and overdischarge
- Module
- vibration
- mechanical impact
- cyclic
- expansion force
- high temperature storage
- IP level
- temperature shock
- Subsystem
- Masterbox
- vibration
- test of plug-in and unplug times of electrical plug-in
- Cooling unit
- connector connection strength
- temperature shock
- high temperature ageing
- UPS
- temperature shock
- high temperature ageing
- high temperature floating charge
- Masterbox
- System (Rack and Container)
- condensed water
- temperature shock
- IP level
- hygrothermal cycle
- salt spray
- high temperature charge/discharge
- 35°C
- 45°C
- 55°C
- low temperature charge/discharge
- 0°C
- -10°C
- -35°C
Although far from complete, this list can form a starting point to build a complete BESS Testing deck.
Overall this is a document that is worth reading as it places the requirements of a BESS in context with an automotive battery pack.
References
- Hank Zhao, CATL Path to BESS Lifecycle Durability, CATL
Global Standards Certifications for BESS
The Global Standards Certifications for BESS container based solutions is significant. As Battery Energy Storage Systems become critical to modern power infrastructure, compliance with international standards ensures safety, performance, and interoperability across components from cells to containerized systems.