Fluence Validates Safety of Gridstack Pro 5000 in Benchmark-Setting Fire Safety Tests
Rhea-AI Summary
Positive
- Successfully completed one of the largest fire safety evaluations in the energy storage industry
- System delivers high energy density of up to 5.6 MWh in a 20-foot enclosure
- Exceeded current UL 9540A standards and meets upcoming NFPA 855 (2026) requirements
- Demonstrated effective prevention of fire propagation between enclosures
- Validated safety features through comprehensive explosion risk assessment
Negative
- None.
Insights
Fluence's Gridstack Pro 5000 surpasses industry safety benchmarks, strengthening market position with one of the highest density storage solutions available.
Fluence has completed an exceptionally rigorous safety validation program for their flagship Gridstack Pro 5000 system—a critical milestone for a product delivering up to 5.6 MWh in a 20-foot enclosure, making it one of the highest density solutions in today's market. The comprehensive testing protocol included both explosion and fire safety evaluations that significantly exceeded current UL 9540A requirements while aligning with forthcoming NFPA 855 (2026) standards.
The multi-phase testing approach began with a five-day explosion risk assessment—consisting of dispersion testing and deflagration testing—confirming that the system's active ventilation successfully exhausts gases per NFPA 69 standards and that all six deflagration panels deployed correctly under extreme conditions.
The subsequent large-scale fire tests represent a significant technical achievement. The test configuration—using fully charged batteries in multiple enclosures at minimum spacing requirements—creates real-world worst-case conditions rarely evaluated at this scale. Most notably, the deliberate ignition of a fire in the center enclosure without suppression intervention confirmed no enclosure-to-enclosure propagation occurred, a critical safety parameter for high-density deployments.
This validation has substantial market implications. Energy storage density remains a key competitive metric, but safety concerns have typically constrained deployment configurations. By demonstrating containment capabilities that exceed emerging standards, Fluence has effectively removed a significant barrier to high-density implementations. The company's methodology—particularly the inclusion of independent observers and standards committee members—also establishes a transparency benchmark that may elevate industry expectations for safety validation.
Large-scale testing by Fluence and CSA Group shows Gridstack Pro 5000 system, delivering up to 5.6 MWh in a 20-foot enclosure, surpassing current and emerging safety standards
ARLINGTON, Va., June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fluence Energy, Inc. ("Fluence") (NASDAQ: FLNC), a global market leader delivering intelligent energy storage, services, and asset optimization software, today announced the successful completion of one of the largest fire safety evaluations in the energy storage industry. In partnership with CSA Group, a leading product testing, inspection, and certification organization, Fluence rigorously tested its high-density Gridstack Pro 5000 Series system. The results of these tests demonstrate that the system not only meets but exceeds current and emerging safety standards.
Prior to the fire tests, Fluence conducted five days of explosion testing—two days of dispersion testing followed by three days of deflagration testing—continuing to lead the industry as one of the first companies to perform such a comprehensive explosion risk assessment. During dispersion testing, the system’s active ventilation effectively exhausted gases as designed, in compliance with NFPA 69, demonstrating its ability to prevent flammable gas accumulation. During deflagration testing, all six deflagration panels deployed as intended, in accordance with NFPA 68, validating the effectiveness of Gridstack Pro 5000’s passive safety features under extreme conditions.
Gridstack Pro 5000 is designed to deliver up to 5.6 MWh of energy within a 20-foot enclosure, making it one of the highest density solutions on the market today to undergo this level of testing. To validate its safety at this scale, the system underwent rigorous testing using fully charged batteries. The large-scale fire tests were conducted at Safe Laboratories in North Carolina under the observation of CSA Group. These tests far exceeded the requirements of the current UL 9540A standard and aligned with emerging safety standards, including the forthcoming NFPA 855 (2026).
Four enclosures containing live batteries were set up using minimum spacings, with the deflagration panels on the center enclosure opened. A fire was deliberately ignited in the center enclosure and allowed to fully develop without the use of fire suppression or firefighting intervention. The results confirmed that Gridstack Pro 5000 enclosures are designed to prevent propagation of battery fires under the conditions tested, even in tightly spaced layouts. No enclosure-to-enclosure propagation occurred, and surrounding battery cells remained within safe limits.
“We designed Gridstack Pro 5000 to push the boundaries of what is possible in energy storage density, and with that comes a responsibility to prove it can be done safely,” said Peter Williams, Fluence SVP and Chief Product and Supply Chain Officer. “This testing goes far beyond what the industry currently requires and is not only a validation of our design, but a real-world demonstration of how next-generation systems must perform under worst-case scenarios.”
To promote transparency and technical rigor, Fluence invited independent observers, including subject matter experts from organizations such as Hiller and members of standards development committees, to observe testing at Safe Labs.
"Fluence continues to show its commitment to fire safety by going above and beyond industry standards," said Paul Hayes, Hiller VP of Energy Infrastructure, Fire Protection Engineer. "The scale and extent of their testing demonstrate readiness to meet the requirements of the upcoming 2026 NFPA 855 safety standard ahead of publication. Gridstack Pro 5000's successful performance under multiple physical test scenarios confirms the system's safety architecture and Fluence's commitment to industry safety standards.”
Throughout the fire tests, Fluence collected detailed gas sampling data to support plume analysis, emergency response training, and permitting guidance—complementing the company’s broader safety initiatives, including specialized battery energy storage system training for first responders.
Since 2022, Fluence has advanced safety testing protocols and certification processes across the energy storage industry through deflagration and large-scale fire testing. The company collaborates with leading laboratories to incorporate advanced safety features into its systems, aiming to prevent, detect, and contain thermal events while maximizing energy capacity within increasingly compact footprints.
About Fluence
Fluence Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FLNC) is a global market leader delivering intelligent energy storage and optimization software for renewables and storage. The Company's solutions and operational services are helping to create a more resilient grid and unlock the full potential of renewable portfolios. With gigawatts of projects successfully contracted, deployed, and under management across nearly 50 markets, the Company is transforming the way we power our world for a more sustainable future.
For more information, visit our website, or follow us on LinkedIn or X. To stay up to date on the latest industry insights, sign up for Fluence's Full Potential Blog.
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Email: shayla.ebsen@fluenceenergy.com
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FAQ
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