GB/T 36276-2023 - Battery Design

Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage

GB/T 36276-2023 specifies the safety and performance requirements for lithium-ion battery cells, modules, and battery clusters used in electrical energy storage systems (EESS). It was issued on 28 December 2023 and became effective on 1 July 2024, fully replacing GB/T 36276-2018. The standard covers the complete lifecycle of lithium-ion EESS batteries, from design and manufacturing through testing, inspection, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning.

Published by: Standardization Administration of China (SAC)

Current edition: GB/T 36276-2023 (effective 1 July 2024)

Replaces: GB/T 36276-2018

Status: Recommended (GB/T prefix) — key reference for BESS project approvals and fire safety assessments in China

Scope

GB/T 36276-2023 applies to lithium-ion battery cells, modules, and battery clusters used in stationary electrical energy storage applications, including:

Grid-scale BESS: utility-level battery energy storage connected to transmission and distribution networks
Commercial and industrial BESS: behind-the-meter energy storage for commercial premises, factories, and data centres
Residential BESS: home energy storage systems (though PAS 63100 covers residential installation in UK; GB/T 36276 is the Chinese equivalent)
Renewable energy storage: BESS paired with solar or wind generation for smoothing and time-shifting

Key Requirements vs 2018 Edition

Extended lifecycle coverage: the 2023 edition adds requirements covering operation, maintenance, and overhaul phases — not just manufacturing and initial testing
Thermal runaway propagation: new requirements aligned with learnings from BESS fires; includes assessment of cell-to-cell and module-to-module thermal runaway propagation
Stricter performance thresholds: updated safety and performance benchmarks reflecting advances in lithium-ion chemistry (LFP, NMC) and higher energy density pack designs
Second-life batteries: added provisions for EESS using second-life traction battery cells, reflecting the growing market for repurposed EV batteries

Test Requirements

Electrical performance: capacity, energy, efficiency, charge/discharge rate capability at cell and module level
Safety — cell level: overcharge, over-discharge, external short circuit, forced internal short circuit, thermal stability, crush, nail penetration
Safety — module and cluster level: vibration, thermal shock, water immersion, overtemperature, thermal runaway propagation
Environmental: temperature cycling, altitude simulation for high-altitude installation sites

Related Standards

GB/T 36545-2023 — Mobile electrochemical energy storage systems (complements GB/T 36276 for mobile/vehicle-mounted BESS)
GB/T 36558-2023 — General technical requirements for electrochemical energy storage in power systems
IEC 62619 — International equivalent covering Li-ion cells for industrial and BESS use

Disclaimer: This is not a definitive guide, just an indication and it is important that you always go back to the source for legislation.