To All Member Enterprises of the National Electric Work Safety Committee and Relevant Power Enterprises:
In order to thoroughly implement the important instructions and directives of the General Secretary Xi Jinping, conscientiously carry out the major decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council regarding work safety, and further strengthen the safety management of electrochemical energy storage stations, the relevant matters are hereby notified as follows:
I. Attach Great Importance to the Safety Management of Electrochemical Energy Storage Stations
(1) Enhance awareness: With the advancement of the energy transition, electrochemical energy storage stations have become a critical component of the stable operation of power systems. All relevant organizations must thoroughly implement the holistic approach to national security and the new energy security strategy of “Four Revolutions and One Cooperation.” They should balance development and safety, adhere to the principle of “putting people and life first”, and strengthen the safety management of electrochemical energy storage stations with a high sense of responsibility and mission, resolutely preventing safety incidents at electrochemical energy storage stations.
(2) Implement primary responsibility: The owner (project legal entity) is the primary responsible party for the safe operation of electrochemical energy storage stations. For the electrochemical energy storage stations connected to public grids at 10 kV or above and included in the record-filing management, their safety management must be integrated into the safety management system of enterprises. This includes establishing a sound work safety assurance and supervision system, implementing a full-staff work safety responsibility system, and improving the dual prevention mechanism of risk classification control and hazard investigation and management. Owners must also bear safety responsibilities in accordance with the law. Other electrochemical energy storage stations should also be subject to strengthened safety management according to relevant regulations.
II. Strengthen Safety Management in the Planning and Design of Electrochemical Energy Storage Stations
(3) Strengthen risk assessment: During the planning of electrochemical energy storage station projects, a bottom-line mindset should be maintained. Safety risk assessment and demonstration should be strengthened to reasonably determine the site selection, layout and safety facility construction of the stations. It is necessary to ensure the investment in work safety, and guarantee that safety facilities are designed, constructed and put into operation simultaneously with the main project.
(4) Strengthen design review: The design tasks should be entrusted to qualified design organizations, and design reviews should be organized. The design documents must comply with relevant laws, regulations and national (industry) standards, and the configuration of safety facilities should meet the safety requirements for project construction, operation, and maintenance. All documentation should be kept properly according to archival management regulations.
III. Ensure Proper Equipment Selection for Electrochemical Energy Storage Stations
(5) Implement strict equipment standards: Adhering to the principle of quality first, selected equipment and systems must comply with relevant laws, regulations and national (industry) standards, and pass inspections by qualified testing institutions with expertise in energy storage. It is necessary to prioritize safe, reliable and environmentally-friendly products according to technical requirements.
(6) Strengthen incoming sampling inspection: Incoming sampling inspections for batteries, battery management systems and other components of electrochemical energy storage stations should be conducted by qualified testing institutions with expertise in energy storage. The sampling must meet the requirements for consistent batch and product. The inspection results must comply with national (industry) standards for safety performance.
IV. Strictly Implement Construction and Acceptance of Electrochemical Energy Storage Stations
(7) Strengthen construction management: The construction of electrochemical energy storage stations should be entrusted to qualified construction organizations. It is necessary to guarantee the investments in safe construction of stations, and standardize the extraction and use of work safety funds according to relevant laws, regulations and national (industry) standards. The construction site management should be strengthened, with enhanced monitoring of key areas and processes, and regular fire-fighting safety inspections should be conducted on site.
(8) Implement strict acceptance procedures: Before electrochemical energy storage stations are put into operation, engineering completion acceptance should be conducted. The quality supervision procedures must be completed according to national regulations, and fire-fighting safety acceptance must be conducted.
V. Strictly Implement Grid Connection Acceptance for Electrochemical Energy Storage Stations
(9) Prepare for grid connection: The grid connection testing should be conducted by qualified testing institutions with expertise in energy storage. Before grid connection acceptance, it is necessary to complete type tests for major equipment and systems, station-wide commissioning tests and grid connection testing.
(10) Strengthen grid connection acceptance: Grid companies should actively cooperate in the grid connection and acceptance of electrochemical energy storage stations. Stations that do not meet national (industry) technical standards for grid connection must not be connected to the grid. The dispatch operation schemes should be optimized, and safe dispatch intervals should be clearly defined in grid connection agreements and strictly enforced.
VI. Strengthen Operation and Maintenance Safety Management of Electrochemical Energy Storage Stations
(11) Clarify delegation responsibilities: At the time of entrusting operation and maintenance to third parties, safety responsibilities of both parties must be clearly defined. The entrusted party must strictly comply with relevant laws, regulations, and national (industry) standards and fulfill safety responsibilities.
(12) Enhance daily management: Operation and maintenance of electrochemical energy storage stations should be integrated into the enterprise’s daily work safety management, and safety management regulations must be strictly implemented. Operation, maintenance, and safety procedures should be established, and regular inspections of major equipment and systems should be conducted. The health status of battery systems should be evaluated and inspected periodically.
(13) Standardize information reporting: Active participation in the construction of safety monitoring information platforms for electrochemical energy storage stations is required. Information on battery safety performance, station operation status, hidden hazard investigation and management, risk control, and incident reporting should be submitted in accordance with regulations to enhance the informatization level of station management.
(14) Strengthen personnel training: Regular training for employees of electrochemical energy storage stations should be organized to continuously improve their skills. Employees must be familiar with battery thermal runaway and fire characteristics, master the operation of firefighting facilities and equipment, and understand emergency response procedures. Staff in key areas such as control rooms and battery rooms must pass professional skill training and assessments and possess the ability to operate firefighting facilities and equipment.
(15) Strengthen decommissioning management: Decommissioning of stations and batteries should be managed in accordance with design life, safe operation status, and relevant national (industry) standards.
VII. Enhance Emergency and Fire Response Capabilities of Electrochemical Energy Storage Stations
(16) Implement fire safety responsibilities: Fire safety responsibilities and managers should be designated to fulfill fire safety management duties. Regular fire inspections, patrols, and maintenance of firefighting equipment should be conducted to ensure firefighting facilities are in normal working condition.
(17) Conduct emergency drills: Based on the characteristics of electrochemical energy storage station accidents, emergency plans and on-site handling schemes should be developed. Professional emergency response personnel and equipment meeting the needs of accident handling should be equipped, and regular emergency drills for electrolyte leakage, battery thermal runaway, and fires should be organized.
(18) Establish coordination mechanisms: Communication and coordination should be strengthened. Emergency plans for electrochemical energy storage stations should be reported to local government emergency management departments and fire rescue agencies. Emergency preparations should be made, and coordination mechanisms with local government departments should be established.
All power enterprises are requested to attach great importance to and strengthen the safety management of electrochemical energy storage stations. During the implementation of this notice, any issues or suggestions should be promptly reported to the Electricity Safety Regulatory Department of the National Energy Administration.
Source: General Department of the National Energy Administration
