Arc Flash Hazard Analysis Process Improvements for Battery Energy Storage Systems

Current analysis methods for arc flash hazards at utility scale battery energy storage systems are not adequate. Analysis methods are in some ways similar to those used for solar photovoltaic projects, but there are also differences that drastically affect the results. The main challenge is the constantly changing equipment configurations. The system designer must always ask what accessible buses are to be reviewed and often the manufacturers and integrators do not have the answers. More focus may be needed to understand operation and maintenance impacts of new designs. As is common in arc flash hazard analysis, overly conservative values are of no use to anyone, particularly not the installation, operation, and maintenance workers. Overly conservative results can produce excessive safety requirements which lead to different issues for crews in some environments. In battery energy storage systems, the energy is always present, so stating the system should not be worked on energized is not an option. The hazards must be correctly analyzed and presented for the safe installation and operation of a project.