CEA Releases Draft Safety Guidelines for Battery Energy Storage Systems with Stakeholder Feedback Opportunity

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has released draft guidelines focusing on the safety and electricity supply standards for battery energy storage systems (BESS). Stakeholders are invited to provide their feedback by July 20, 2025.

The chargers utilized for battery energy storage systems must be specifically designed to align with the battery’s chemistry. Additionally, the battery system should incorporate a two-fault tolerance feature, which guarantees that it can either continue to operate safely or shut down securely after two distinct faults occur. This protection mechanism must function under all conditions, including overcharging, over-discharging, short circuits, and operation outside the predetermined temperature range.

Fire and explosion safety protocols must be implemented at the cell, module, container, and installation site levels. The battery management system is required to monitor and log voltage, temperature, current, and thermal runaway at both the cell and module levels. Visual and audio alarms must be activated whenever any monitored parameter exceeds the limits set by the original equipment manufacturer. Furthermore, the system should automatically halt charging and discharging if the temperature surpasses the manufacturer’s recommended thresholds.

The power conversion system must enable fully automatic and unattended operations, including grid synchronization and seamless connections and disconnections from the grid. It should be equipped with self-protection and diagnostic capabilities to guard against component failures or abnormal operating conditions. Coolant lines must be properly routed and secured to prevent leaks near live electrical parts. Any failure of the dielectric fluid cooling system, including issues with the cooling lines, should not result in leaks that could lead to cell short circuits or create hazardous situations within the battery pack.

### Battery Container

The battery container must be designed to be explosion-proof and should include a forced ventilation system along with automated louvers to safely release flammable gases while maintaining internal pressure within safe limits. Ingress protection must adhere to applicable standards. The walk-in setup for the battery energy storage system, including entry and exit points, must also comply with relevant standards.

### Equipment Location

Battery containers must be situated at least 7.5 meters away from the nearest exterior wall or roof overhang. If this distance cannot be maintained, comprehensive fire testing must be conducted to ensure the installation’s safety. In locations where the battery energy storage system is situated in densely populated urban areas or near critical infrastructure, appropriate measures should be taken to mitigate noise levels. A minimum distance of 3 meters should be maintained between two battery containers; if this is unfeasible, large-scale fire testing must be performed, and the external wall of each container must have a fire-resistance rating of no less than two hours. The Central Transmission Utility of India previously suggested that a minimum of 3 acres should be considered as the benchmark for establishing a 100 MWh BESS project.

### Ventilation

Each battery container must be equipped with sufficient ventilation and cooling systems to prevent overheating. A mechanism should be in place to control the concentration of flammable substances within the enclosure in accordance with relevant Indian standards. If the mechanical ventilation system fails, the battery system must automatically shut down to maintain flammable material concentrations within safe limits.

### Hazard Detection and Suppression

The battery energy storage system must feature hazard detection systems capable of identifying smoke, gas, heat, and flames. These systems should be actively monitored. Any battery container with a capacity of 200 kWh or more must be fitted with an automatic water-based fire suppression system that complies with applicable standards. All components of this fire suppression system must be protected from environmental exposure and unauthorized access while remaining easily accessible for routine inspection and maintenance.

### Other Measures

For batteries utilizing acidic or basic aqueous electrolytes in liquid form, adequate containment must be provided to manage electrolyte spills. Enclosed working areas must have a separate emergency lighting source that activates automatically, adhering to the applicable standards. Battery energy storage system installations must be surrounded by fencing at least 1.8 meters high to prevent unauthorized access. Surveillance systems, including CCTV, motion sensors, break-glass detectors, and alarms connected to a monitoring and response setup, must be installed at strategic locations. If a safety issue or battery anomaly is detected, the affected part of the battery system must shut down within a predetermined timeframe. Manual emergency stop mechanisms, including buttons or switches, should be installed in clearly visible and easily accessible locations.

An independent third-party fire safety audit must be conducted for each installation, as outlined in the standard operating procedure that the CEA will issue within three months of the notification of these regulations. The owner of the battery energy storage system must submit this fire safety audit report to the Electrical Inspector during the inspection process. The relevant government authority must also ensure that fire safety personnel receive training tailored to the unique fire risks associated with battery energy storage systems. The Directorate General of Fire Safety will issue the training guidelines within three months following the notification of these regulations.