On June 5, 2024, David Rosewater, a grid energy storage researcher in the Sandia Energy Storage program, was an invited speaker during the IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS) webinar on Reducing Risk When Performing Energized Work on Batteries. Dr. Rosewater’s presented to the international audience on his recently published research to improve battery electrical safety in the workplace. The webinar was hosted by IEEE IAS’s Industry Segment Development subcommittee.
David’s talk contained three main components. It:
- Explored the modifications required to develop a battery hazardous energy control procedure that can protect workers and avoid accidents.
- Covered several physical properties and engineering controls common in battery systems that affect the battery risk assessment required by NFPA 70E.
- Presented a list of changes proposed to electrical safety practices, including those outlined in NFPA 70E, that clarify how to control hazardous energy in batteries, helping to avoid future misapplication of power distribution circuit electrical safety practices to batteries.
According to David, electrical safety guidance in NFPA 70E for work on batteries can be substantially improved. This work is critical to keeping a new generation of battery technicians safe as they install and maintain the energy storage systems that will be needed for the clean energy transition.
Read the original research paper at: D.M. Rosewater “Reducing Risk When Performing Energized Work on Batteries” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 2732-2741, March-April 2024, DOI: 10.1109/TIA.2023.3332828.
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity (OE), Energy Storage Division.
