Emera Technologies Receives UL 9540 Fire Safety Certification for BlockEnergyTM Microgrid Platform’s Energy Storage and Control System

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After a demanding testing and evaluation process, Emera Technologies announces it has received UL 9540 fire safety certification for BlockBox^TM, the distributed nanogrid energy storage and control system of its BlockEnergy^TM microgrid platform.

BlockEnergy is the first utility-owned community microgrid for residential and commercial-scale applications. The fire safety certification is a significant milestone that allows BlockEnergy to be offered to utilities.

The BlockEnergy microgrid integrates renewable energy, storage, and smart distributed controls to facilitate easily scalable systems in new residential communities. The BlockBox energy storage and control system, equipped with EnerDel’s lithium-ion batteries, acts as a smart hub for the energy load it serves on the microgrid. BlockBoxes are connected on a common bus at various end-load sources, incorporating the battery management system, controls, and communications for the load, thereby serving as the integration point of various energy sources into the battery.

“Less than two years ago we completed our proof of concept for the BlockEnergy microgrid and distributed BlockBox nanogrids at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. Achieving the UL 9540 certification represents a crucial safety milestone in our engineering and development work,” says Rob Bennett, president and CEO of Emera Technologies. “We look forward to completing our first commercial and residential BlockEnergy microgrid installations in Tampa, Florida, and Fairmount Heights, Maryland in early 2022.”

Microgrids will play a significant role in achieving a renewable and resilient energy future. BlockEnergy’s utility-centric model allows utilities to own and operate distributed energy resources that can be integrated with utility grid infrastructure. The BlockEnergy system provides easy interoperability in both grid-connected mode and island mode, when outages are affecting the broader grid.

“Partnering with Emera Technologies on the BlockBox distributed battery system has been an incredible accomplishment for both teams,” says Bruce Silk, senior director of business development for EnerDel. “The EnerDel team has been impressed by Emera’s focus on safety, which aligns perfectly with our culture of safety and performance. This strategic alliance is a testament to an emerging opportunity as we expand our market and product portfolio.”

The testing and evaluation was conducted by independent, third-party lab TÜV Rheinland.

About Emera Technologies
Emera Technologies is a dedicated and nimble organization focused on developing new ways to deliver renewable energy to customers. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, the team engages experts, research organizations, and technology leaders to capitalize on the disruptive challenges and innovation opportunities in today’s energy industry. For more information on Emera Technologies, please visit https://blockenergy.com/. Emera Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with more than 2.5 million customers.

About BlockEnergy
BlockEnergy is the world’s first distributed renewable energy platform for new communities of all sizes. A truly plug-and-play energy system, BlockEnergy is comprised of a simple kit of parts, able to be installed by local utilities as a capital asset to deliver the most advanced, secure, resilient power available. Scalable, stormproof, and able to interoperate seamlessly with the local grid when needed, BlockEnergy allows new communities to benefit from a seamless platform combining rooftop solar, energy storage, and smart distributed controls. For more information, see the BlockEnergy explainer video here.

About EnerDel
EnerDel, Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Indianapolis. It manufactures advanced lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems for the electric grid, transportation, and industrial applications. The company’s prismatic cell design and modular stacking architecture combine to provide customers with production-ready solutions that address their power and energy storage needs. For additional information, visit EnerDel.com.