VPC Verification and Safety Specifications

ESS Setting Specifications and Verification Review System

With the development of grid-level energy storage systems, the capacity of devices is increasing daily. In addition to the performance of equipment and systems, in order to ensure the safety of a large number of outdoor energy storage systems installed in Taiwan, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection of the Ministry of Economic Affairs refers to the international standard IEC 62933-5-2 for planning "Outdoor battery energy storage system case field" voluntary verification system and technical specification draft, standardize the verification system operation and maintenance requirements.


Take from:Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, M.O.E.A. "Technical Specifications for Field Verification of Outdoor Battery Energy Storage Systems" – Announcement on August 22, 2022

Government Policies and Institutions

Net Zero transformation has become a major goal shared by the world. It is imperative for the government to promote the net-zero transformation by 2050. In March 2022, the government officially announced the "General Description of Taiwan's 2050 Net Zero Emissions Path and Strategy". Then in September, Taipower company announced that, in the years, it would invest 564.5 Billion for "strengthening the power grid resilience construction plan". After that, the National Development Council in October is expected to announce the specific action plan of the "twelve key strategies" by the end of the year.

ESS Collaborate Mode

1. Willingness assessment

2. On-site investigation

3. Content description

4. Sign a contract

5. Review the design

6. Engineering construction

ESS Construction Processes

1. Case Preparation

Location Scouting, landowner lease, application for Taipower feeder, preparation and application for system impact, etc.

2. Energy Storage System Design and Planning

Owner contract execution, electrical and civil engineer drawing, project manager assignment, panel and main equipment procurement, etc.

3. Civil Engineering Construction

layout, weeding and land grading, site excavation, grounding system and piping works, RC foundation in equipment area, etc.

4. System Engineering and Testing

Weak current and high voltage power system engineering, EMS network monitoring system engineering, equipment positioning, testing before power transmission, etc.

5. Cooperate with Relevant Unit for The Final Acceptance

Acceptance of test items, system start-up test, acceptance of related data , Taipower transmission, education and training, etc.

6. O&M Team Takes Over

After-sales service, follow-up maintenance service of the case site, spare parts procurement and replacement operations, etc.

Parallel Review Regulations and Setting Safety Regulations

Grid-Connected Energy Storage Area Planning

  • Grid-connected energy storage mainly provides ancillary services:when it is set up to provide services required by the power grid, it is called "grid-connected energy storage".
  • Lead the grid-connected energy storage systems to be installed in industrial parks:The industrial area has concentrated power consumption, has the advantage of sufficient grid connection points, and the fire protection facilities in the industrial area are relatively complete.
  • It is recommended that the grid-connected energy storage system can be installed in the industrial area. Various industrial areas will open, step by step, for the installation of grid-connected ESS:the designated industrial areas, urban planning industrial areas (special type, type A, type B) and technology industrial parks have been opened.
  • Set up in the factory area with the qualified factory registration certificate in the industrial area.
  • Apply for settlement in an industrial zone.
  • Set up in the factory area with the qualified factory registration certificate outside the industrial zone (planned to be added this time).

Energy Storage Cabinet Distance Specification

The safety distance between each device is 1.5 meters, and the perimeter is set back 3 meters. At present, it is mainly set up in industrial areas. Still, in the future, it must comply with the regulations of the competent authority.

Device Security

Essential components (batteries, modules):

Follow international/domestic specifications, firstly obtain a test qualification report or verification certificate, then complete the standard certification, at last, apply to Taipower for parallel power transmission procedures.

Energy storage system:

Choose one to follow (CNS, IEC, UL), pass the on-site test by a third-party impartial organization, and then apply to Taipower for the parallel power transmission procedure.

Fire Safety

Fire safety installations:

Fire extinguishers, alarms/detectors, pressure relief valves, uninterruptible power supply systems, etc., must be installed.

Fire-fighting system design:

Fire-fighting design shall be carried out in accordance with the "Standards for Setting Up Fire-fighting Safety Equipment of Various Sites", this design plan must use the safety equipment approved by National Fire Agency. The design drawings and calculation documents shall be designed and certified by the fire-fighting equipment technician.

Fire protection plan:

Provide a fire protection plan, contact the local fire department to provide emergency response plans, and regularly inspect fire safety devices once a year

Required Documents Prepared in Advance

  1. If the case owner is the  possessor of the land (building), the first class transcript of the land (building) registration applied within three months, the land (building) ownership certificate or other supporting documents that can prove the installation area should be attached.
  2. If the case owner is not the possessor of the land (building), the first type transcript of the land (building)registration applied within three months, the consent form of the owner of the land (building) or the lease  contract, should be attached.
  3. If the installation location is managed by a government unit, the consent form or lease contract mentioned above could be replaced by relevant supporting documents of the agreement for ESS installation.
  4. A copy of the cover of the notarized deed of the lease with the landlord. (It can be provided within 1 month after obtaining the censor's opinion)

ESS Verification Review

System Specification

(A)

Design Review

The new project site shall apply for design review before construction, which may only be carried out after compliance.

(B)

Case Field Review

After the completion of the new case site, the case site inspection (including the on-site acceptance test) will be carried out, and the VPC certificate will be issued to those who confirm that the case site meets the safety requirements of the original design.

(C)

Operation and Maintenance Review

After the VPC certificate is obtained, an on-site acceptance test (periodical test) will be carried out every 2 years, and the certificate can only be renewed for those who meet the requirements.

ESS Verification Review System Process at Each Stage

Review Specifications for Grid-Connected Energy Storage Equipment after the Implementation of VPC

Interim Program for the Transition Period

For those case sites already established or under construction before the Bureau of Standards implements the VPC verification of the energy storage field.

According to the Regulations of the Energy Bureau or Taipower Corporation

1. On-site components:Submit CNS, IEC or UL component test-qualified reports or verification certificates to Taipower for review in accordance with Taipower’s regulations.

2. Established (operating) case sites:

  • Those who have obtained the IEC 62933-5-2 or UL 9540 project verification test report should submit it to Taipower for review.
  • Those who have not been verified by a third party must complete the on-site acceptance test within 6 months after the implementation of the VPC verification by the Bureau of Standards. Only those who pass the verification can continue to participate in the power trading platform.

3. Case field under construction:a third-party organization shall conduct the IEC 62933-5-2 or UL 9540 on-site test and submit it to Taipower.

According to the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, M.O.E.A

4. When the case site mentioned above converts to the VPC verification of the Bureau of Standards, the Bureau of Standards will carry out the on-site acceptance test every 2 years according to CNS 62933-5-2 or the original on-site acceptance test standard (such as UL 9540), but the case site which uses the original acceptance test standards still need to perform on-site acceptance of 10 test items.

5. When converted to VPC,  relevant qualification reports or verification certificates of components should be submitted. If it is incapable of submitting a such report or the case configuration does not meet the requirements of technical specifications or relevant national standards, additional safety protection measures should be added.

6. The VPC certificate will be issued to those who meet the requirements after being reviewed by the Bureau of Standards.

Note:The qualification of the third-party organization is recommended to be a domestic incorporated foundation or a certification institution approved by the IAF MLA international certification agency, such as:Industrial Technology Research Institute, MIRDC, TERTEC, UL, TUV Rh, Intertek, BV...etc.

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