Introduction

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are transforming grid operations by providing flexibility, resilience, and backup power. However, as deployments scale—especially in critical infrastructure and rapidly relocatable formats—ensuring safety and reliability becomes paramount. This post explores how Fault Management Software and FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery) principles enhance BESS performance.

Why Fault Management Matters

BESS introduces unique challenges:

  • Thermal runaway risks in lithium-ion cells.
  • Electrical faults such as inverter failures or short circuits.
  • Complex multi-site operations with dynamic load conditions.

Traditional protection systems (breakers, GFCIs) are reactive and lack predictive capabilities. Modern solutions integrate real-time analytics, adaptive control, and remote management.

What is FDIR?

FDIR stands for:

  • Fault Detection: Continuous monitoring of voltage, current, temperature, and inverter states.
  • Fault Isolation: Identifying the faulty component without shutting down the entire system.
  • Fault Recovery: Reconfiguring operations to maintain service at reduced capacity.

These principles, borrowed from aerospace and mission-critical systems, are now applied to energy storage for grid resilience.

Key Features of Modern Fault Management Software

  • Centralized Remote Control Center
    • Real-time telemetry and analytics.
    • Remote adjustment of set points and thresholds.
    • Automated sequences for safe charge/discharge cycles.
  • Adaptive Control Algorithms
    • Dynamic threshold adjustments for load and inverter changes.
    • Maintain operations within safe limits during faults.
    • Enable maintenance without full system shutdown.
  • Edge Computing for Legacy Integration
    • Converts industrial protocols (Modbus, DNP3) to modern APIs.
    • Creates discoverable endpoints for each BESS.
    • Transforms legacy data into queryable and commandable channels.
  • Autonomous Fault Handling
    • Detect anomalies and trigger pre-configured alerts.
    • Alerts via dashboard, email, SMS, or Slack.
    • Remote troubleshooting using video tools for supervised on-site actions.

Industry Standards & Best Practices

  • UL 9540A: Fire safety testing for BESS.
  • NFPA 855: Installation standards for energy storage systems.
  • Predictive maintenance: Recommended by EPRI and Sandia National Laboratories.
  • Fault Managed Power Systems (FMPS): Emerging for safe high-voltage DC distribution.

Sandia Labs Connection

Sandia National Laboratories plays a pivotal role in:

  • Battery abuse testing and safety standards.
  • FDIR algorithms for microgrids and BESS.
  • Development of energy storage management systems like QuESt for optimal dispatch and fault recovery.

Their research underpins many commercial solutions and informs industry best practices.

Why This Matters

Fault management software is not just about preventing failures—it enables:

  • Higher uptime for critical infrastructure.
  • Safe scaling of BESS fleets.
  • Compliance with evolving safety codes.
  • Operational flexibility for relocatable and hybrid deployments.

Further Reading