A government-backed project has been launched in Australia to define a “performance standard” for home battery storage systems connected to solar power systems.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) said the aim is to develop a standard that covers battery systems ranging from residential to small commercial systems, with estimated maximum size estimates of 100 kilowatts peak power and 200 kilowatt-hours stored energy.
Arena announced AUD1.4 million ($1m) in funding toward the AUD3.12m initiative, led by energy consultancy and testing authority DNV GL, paving the way for a “formal standard development process” by regulator Standards Australia.
International bodies and Australian companies and organisations will be consulted as part of the process.
Arena CEO Ivor Frischknecht (pictured) said: “The difficulty for consumers to make a well-informed choice presents a barrier to uptake of battery storage. This project will give consumers a more informed choice and increased confidence in deciding to invest in home batteries and rooftop solar.”
DNV GL vice-president for technology and innovation Lucy Craig said the initiative “supported the safe and sustainable development of the energy storage sector”.
Last year, Standards Australia dropped initial proposals that could have banned the introduction of on-site lithium-ion battery storage in homes.
