Duke, Eversource commit to create energy storage safety standards

Duke Energy, Eversource and 25 other energy companies signed an energy storage corporate responsibility pledge and committed to participate in a taskforce to optimize safety standards, according to an announcement by the Energy Storage Association on Thursday. The pledge prioritizes the safety of employees and customers for energy storage resource deployment, integration and operation while striving to support the addition of "at least 35 GW of new energy storage by 2025." The commitment is made stronger by the participation of utilities and third-party developers, as their participation is crucial to "widespread deployment," ESA CEO Kelly Speakes-Backman told Utility Dive. Utilities and third-party storage developers pledged to contribute storage experts to a taskforce focused on responsible supply chain practices, potential operational hazards, end-of-life and recycling in the industry. The ESA formally launched its corporate responsibility initiative for the industry at its annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona last week.