The Energy Storage Europe Association Guidelines on Safety Best Practices for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are designed to support the safe deployment of outdoor, utility-scale lithium-ion (Li-ion) BESS across Europe. These guidelines aim to assist developers, manufacturers, service providers, and all stakeholders in the value chain—including relevant authorities, first responders, and permitting bodies—in implementing safety practices that align with regulatory requirements and technical standards.
May 2025 / Policy Papers
Suggested Amendments to the Clean Industrial State Aid Framework
Energy Storage Europe Association has prepared a position paper with suggested amendments to the Draft Clean Industrial State Aid Framework (CISAF), initially submitted as a response to the Public Consultation to the Commission seeking the views of relevant stakeholders on a draft for this framework.
The CISAFwill guideMember States on designing State aid measures in support of the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This framework builds on the experience gained through the transition provisions of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF). Once adopted, the CISAF will replace the TCTF. It is intended to remain in force until 31 December 2030, ensuring a stable and predictable environment for public support. The draft CISAF includes provisions for aid measures that accelerate the rollout of renewable energy, facilitate industrial decarbonisation, ensure sufficient manufacturing capacity in clean technologies, and de-risk private investment in the green transition.
Energy Storage Europe Association welcomes CISAF and its efforts to align EU State aid rules with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal towards a decarbonised and competitive industry in Europe. In this context, energy storage is essential for renewable energy integration and to provide decarbonisation solutions to energy-intensive industries.
The Energy Storage Europe Association Guidelines on Safety Best Practices for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are designed to support the safe deployment of outdoor, utility-scale lithium-ion (Li-ion) BESS across Europe. These guidelines aim to assist developers, manufacturers, service providers, and all stakeholders in the value chain—including relevant authorities, first responders, and permitting bodies—in implementing safety practices that align with regulatory requirements and technical standards.
This position paper, prepared by the Energy Storage Europe Association, assesses the system value of long-duration energy storage, identifies barriers to deployment, and proposes recommendations to better align European energy, industrial, and financing frameworks with the long-term flexibility needs of a fully decarbonised power system.
In this position paper, the Energy Storage Europe Association calls for a shift from today’s “first-come, first-served” queue system to a more efficient, strategic, and transparent framework that recognises the unique value of energy storage for reducing congestion, enhancing flexibility, and making better use of existing grid infrastructure.
Energy Storage Europe Association has published its Position Paper on Improving Permitting Procedures, highlighting the urgent need to streamline, harmonise, and modernise permitting frameworks for energy storage across the EU. Europe needs a fast, fair, and future-proof permitting framework to unlock the estimated 200 GW of energy storage required by 2030.
Energy Storage Europe Association responds to the European Commission’s Public Consultations on the Electrification Action Plan and the Heating and Cooling Strategy, highlighting the need for stronger recognition of storage as a central enabler of electrification and heating decarbonisation. This requires clearer policies to integrate storage into planning and investment pathways, along with measures to remove persistent barriers such as high upfront costs, slow permitting, unfavourable taxation, and weak market signals. Storage should be treated as a default element of a cost-effective, system-friendly transition and reflected accordingly in planning frameworks, financing tools, and flexibility market design.
