Does energy storage need a regulatory framework?

Currently, no jurisdiction provides a comprehensive regulatory framework for energy storage. Instead, most jurisdictions define storage as 'generation' for licensing and other regulatory purposes.

Should energy storage be regulated?

A robust regulatory framework would reflect storage’s unique ability to act as generation and consumption and remove the need to pay end-user electricity consumption charges. The vast majority of countries do not have a specific subsidy regime.

Do energy storage systems need a CSR?

Until existing model codes and standards are updated or new ones developed and then adopted, one seeking to deploy energy storage technologies or needing to verify an installation’s safety may be challenged in applying current CSRs to an energy storage system (ESS).

How is energy storage currently defined?

Our review demonstrates that no jurisdiction currently provides a comprehensive regulatory framework for energy storage, with the majority of jurisdictions currently allowing storage to be defined as “generation” for the purposes of licensing and other regulatory requirements.

Are there legal issues relating to energy storage?

As set out above, there are a wide variety of energy storage technologies and applications available. As a result, there are a number of legal issues to consider when it comes to energy storage projects. The relative importance of such issues will be informed by the specific project design and revenue stream requirements, such as double circuit connection.

Do electric energy storage systems need to be tested?

It is recognized that electric energy storage equipment or systems can be a single device providing all required functions or an assembly of components, each having limited functions. Components having limited functions shall be tested for those functions in accordance with this standard.