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The Global BESS Market
Rahul Jalthar

The Global BESS Market: Projected Growth to 500 GW by 2031 and the Rising Importance of Safety Certification

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Global BESS Market Forecast to 2031

The global BESS market is projected to grow exponentially, reaching 500 GW by 2031. This forecast is a reflection of the world’s transition toward clean energy, electrification, and grid modernization. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are no longer niche technologies—they are becoming central to the stability and flexibility of modern energy networks.

But with such rapid deployment, BESS safety certification has emerged as a critical factor. Without strong certification standards, the risks of fire, explosion, or system failure increase. These risks not only threaten energy reliability but also create challenges for regulators, insurers, and investors.

In this article, we explore the drivers of global BESS market growth, the importance of safety certification, and the frameworks shaping the future of energy storage systems.

Why the Global BESS Market Is Growing So Fast

The energy storage systems projected 500 GW growth is being driven by a combination of technical, economic, and policy-related factors.

1. Renewable Energy Integration

Wind and solar are now the cheapest forms of new power generation worldwide. However, their variability creates challenges for grid operators. Battery energy storage systems solve this problem by storing excess energy and releasing it when demand rises.

2. Grid Modernization and Stability

Utilities are increasingly deploying BESS for peak shaving and load shifting, frequency regulation, and emergency backup. These applications make the grid more stable and resilient.

3. Commercial and Industrial Adoption

The C&I sector is also embracing storage. Businesses use BESS to cut peak demand charges, integrate renewable energy, and secure backup power through certified BESS installations.

4. Policy Support and Incentives

Governments are backing storage projects through subsidies, tax credits, and regulatory frameworks. For example, the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act provides tax benefits for energy storage projects, while the EU Green Deal is pushing for accelerated deployment.

The Risks of Rapid Expansion Without Certification

The market opportunity in certified BESS installations is immense. Yet, expansion without robust certification frameworks introduces serious risks.

  • Thermal Runaway – Poorly tested systems can overheat and cause chain-reaction fires.
  • Fire Hazards – Uncertified systems lack the proven ability to prevent or contain fires.
  • Grid Instability – Unsafe or poorly integrated BESS may destabilize the grid.
  • Investor Concerns – How certification improves investor confidence in BESS is by ensuring long-term reliability. Without it, projects face financing barriers.

These risks highlight why safety risks of battery energy storage without certification cannot be ignored.

Why Safety Certification Matters for BESS

As the global BESS market forecast to 2031 shows explosive growth, safety must be at the forefront. Certification ensures that BESS systems:

This framework builds the foundation for commercial and industrial BESS safety compliance worldwide.

Key Certifications That Define Global BESS Safety

Different certifications cover different layers of BESS safety. Together, they form a BESS safety certification framework for renewable integration.

UL Standards: The U.S. Benchmark

  • UL 1973 – Battery safety for stationary, EV, and mobile applications.
  • UL 9540 – System-level certification for safe operation.
  • UL 9540A – Fire testing method to assess thermal runaway risks.

IEC 62933: The Global Standard

The IEC 62933 global standard for grid storage safety sets the technical foundation for performance, installation, and system integration.

CE Marking in Europe

The CE marking requirements for battery energy storage systems ensure safety, environmental compliance, and market readiness within the EU.

NFPA 855: Installation Safety

The NFPA 855 standard provides guidelines for siting, spacing, and fire prevention for energy storage projects in North America.

Certification Builds Market Confidence

Beyond safety, certification also drives global BESS market growth by creating trust.

How Certification Improves Investor Confidence in BESS

  • Reduces liability risks by ensuring compliance.
  • Streamlines project permitting and regulatory approval.
  • Enhances access to financing, as banks prefer certified projects.
  • Demonstrates compliance with regulatory requirements for battery energy storage systems 2031.

Without certification, large-scale projects could face costly delays, stricter insurance requirements, or outright rejection.

Global Trends in Energy Storage Certification and Testing

The global trends in energy storage certification and testing point toward stricter, more harmonized standards. Several developments are shaping the industry:

  • Harmonization of IEC and UL standards to reduce duplication.
  • Performance-based testing to reflect real-world conditions.
  • AI and digital twins for predictive safety assessments.
  • Third-party testing labs expanding capacity to handle growing demand.

As the market scales toward 500 GW energy storage forecast, these certification trends will define how quickly projects come online.

Looking Ahead: Balancing Growth With Safety

The global BESS market forecast to 2031 highlights a future of rapid scaling, but it comes with responsibility. The industry must prioritize best practices for BESS fire and explosion prevention to protect communities and maintain market trust.

Future growth will depend on:

  • Stronger collaboration between regulators and manufacturers.
  • Adoption of international standards like IEC 62933 across all regions.
  • Increased emphasis on C&I BESS safety compliance.
  • Continuous innovation in safety technologies.

By aligning market expansion with robust safety certification, the BESS industry can deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable storage solutions that support the global clean energy transition.

IEC 62933: Global Standard for Grid Energy Storage Systems
Rahul Jalthar

IEC 62933: Global Standard for Grid Energy Storage Systems

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As renewable energy adoption grows, energy storage systems (ESS) have become critical for balancing supply and demand, improving reliability, and supporting grid resilience. To ensure safety, performance, and interoperability, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) developed the IEC 62933 series, a set of globally recognized standards.

These standards guide manufacturers, developers, and policymakers in designing and deploying safe, efficient, and sustainable storage solutions.

What is IEC 62933?

The IEC 62933 series establishes a framework for electrical energy storage (EES) systems, including grid-scale and commercial applications. It covers general requirements, safety, performance, environmental considerations, and grid integration.

Rather than being a single document, IEC62933 is a family of interlinked standards, each addressing a specific aspect of EES.

Breakdown of Key IEC 62933 Standards

IEC 62933: Global Standard for Safe and Reliable Energy Storage Systems

Here’s a detailed overview of the most important parts:

1. IEC 62933-1 – General Requirements

  • Defines basic concepts, classifications, and terminology for EES.
  • Provides common ground for stakeholders (manufacturers, regulators, utilities).
  • Establishes a systematic approach to planning, designing, and evaluating ESS.

2. IEC 62933-2-1 – Performance Testing for EES Systems

  • Sets methods to evaluate performance of storage systems.
  • Covers energy efficiency, response time, storage capacity, and life cycle.
  • Ensures consistent benchmarks for comparing technologies.

3. IEC TS 62933-2-2 – Functional Safety Assessment

  • A Technical Specification (TS) focusing on safety from a system function perspective.
  • Addresses potential hazards (thermal runaway, electrical failures).
  • Provides methods for risk identification and mitigation.

4. IEC TS 62933-2-3 – Reliability of Energy Storage Systems

5. IEC TR 62933-2-201 – Guidance on Safety Cases

  • A Technical Report (TR) providing practical guidance for ESS safety cases.
  • Supports developers and operators in building safety documentation.
  • Bridges the gap between technical standards and real-world applications.

6. IEC 62933-4-2 – Environmental Impact of EES Systems

  • Focuses on environmental assessment of energy storage technologies.
  • Considers carbon footprint, material use, and recycling practices.
  • Encourages sustainable deployment of large-scale ESS.

7. IEC 62933-4-4 – End-of-Life Management

  • Provides guidelines for decommissioning, recycling, and disposal of EES.
  • Promotes circular economy practices in the storage industry.
  • Reduces environmental risks associated with battery waste.

8. IEC 62933-5-1 – General Safety Considerations

  • Covers general safety requirements for stationary energy storage.
  • Includes electrical, chemical, mechanical, and fire safety aspects.
  • Ensures system safety across all technologies (batteries, flywheels, etc.).

9. IEC 62933-5-2 – Safety for Large-Scale EES

  • Focuses specifically on large battery energy storage systems (BESS).
  • Addresses thermal runaway prevention, emergency response, and system protection.
  • Critical for utility-scale storage projects.

10. IEC 62933-5-3 – Grid Integration Safety

  • Examines safety aspects during grid connection and operation.
  • Ensures ESS does not destabilize or endanger grid infrastructure.
  • Supports secure deployment in smart grids and microgrids.

Importance of IEC 62933 for the Industry

The IEC 62933 series provides:

  • Global Standardization – unifies practices worldwide.
  • Risk Reduction – prevents failures in high-risk ESS installations.
  • Sustainability – ensures safe end-of-life handling.
  • Investor Confidence – promotes compliance and long-term reliability.
  • Innovation Support – enables safe integration of emerging technologies like solid-state and hybrid storage.

Conclusion

The IEC62933 standard family is the backbone of global energy storage deployment. From general guidelines (IEC62933-1) to detailed safety (IEC62933-5-2) and environmental sustainability (IEC62933-4-4), it ensures storage systems are safe, efficient, and future-ready.

Adopting these standards is essential for manufacturers, developers, and regulators who aim to accelerate the clean energy transition while ensuring safety and reliability.