Fully charged – MCS launch new Battery Storage Standard

29th January 2020

NATIONAL CERTIFICATION scheme MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) has today published the first standard for installation of battery energy storage systems in a move set to complement their certification of other microgeneration technologies.

MCS has spent the last few months developing the new battery storage scheme with input from the likes of Tesla, Sonnen, Moixa, Powervault, AceOn Group, the STA, REA and more.

This new Battery Storage Standard (MIS 3012) outlines the installation requirements for MCS certified Installers who supply, design and install electrical energy (battery) storage systems. It will better equip the industry to roll out energy storage installations whilst ensuring consumer protection.

MCS is a quality assurance scheme, supported by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It provides the framework for the certification of microgeneration technologies used to produce electricity and heat from low carbon sources.

Chris Roberts MCS Director who led the project to deliver this standard in collaboration with our working group and technical author, Graham Kenyon, said: “We are excited to publish what we believe to be one of the first standards suitable for the certification of complete battery storage installations. We aim to protect customers investing in this exciting technology whilst also helping the industry grow by defining what constitutes good practice in the sale, design and installation of these systems.”

Ian Rippin, chief executive of MCS added: “As we continue to support the sector, our battery storage scheme will be backed by scheme requirements managed independently and impartially. This is all about enabling the industry to deliver the best outcomes for the consumers that it serves.

Registrations under this scheme will sit alongside existing small-scale renewable energy installations that are currently held centrally within the MCS Installation Database. For Installers this represents a one-stop-shop for all of their registrations without the need to access a different system. For consumers, it delivers the benefit of being able to search for all of their renewable energy needs, including battery storage solutions, in one place.”

This robust certification is set to wrap around installations in order to truly protect consumers and drive best practice. Installers considering certification against it can commence working to it in preparation for assessment.

MCS are currently piloting the scheme with volunteer Installers and we expect Certification Bodies to be in a position to accept applications for certification against the standard towards the middle of the year.

View the new Standard here.