The national standard GB/T 36276-2023, officially implemented on July 1, 2024, sets stricter safety and performance thresholds for lithium-ion batteries used in electrical energy storage, driving the healthy and orderly development of the industry.

As the global transition to green energy accelerates, lithium-ion batteries for electrical energy storage—core components of energy storage systems—are attracting growing attention regarding their safety and performance reliability. The release and implementation of the national standard GB/T 36276-2023 Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage provides a comprehensive and unified technical specification for the industry. It holds great significance for ensuring the safe and stable operation of energy storage systems and promoting high-quality industrial development.

01 Standard Overview & Background

GB/T 36276-2023 Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage is a recommended national standard. Issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China on December 28, 2023, it was officially implemented on July 1, 2024, fully replacing the 2018 version of the standard.

Proposed by the China Electricity Council, the standard is under the jurisdiction of the National Technical Committee for Electrical Energy Storage Standardization (SAC/TC 550). Drafting organizations include well-known industry enterprises and institutions such as China Electric Power Research Institute Co., Ltd., Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), Shenzhen BYD Lithium Battery Co., Ltd. Kengzi Branch, and Wuhan EVE Energy Storage Co., Ltd.

02 Scope of Application & Key Definitions

GB/T 36276-2023 applies to the full-lifecycle management of lithium-ion batteries for electrical energy storage, including design, manufacturing, testing, inspection, operation, maintenance, and overhaul.

Compared with the 2018 version, the scope of the new standard has been significantly expanded: from primarily covering battery cells and modules, it now extends to three levels—battery cells, battery modules, and battery clusters—encompassing full-level management of lithium-ion batteries for electrical energy storage.

The standard clarifies definitions of key terms such as "battery cell," "battery module," and "battery cluster," and adds new definitions (e.g., "battery cycle life"), laying a foundation for unified industry understanding and application.

03 Core Technical Content & Requirements

GB/T 36276-2023 is comprehensive in content, setting clear requirements for various performance indicators of lithium-ion batteries for electrical energy storage:

Appearance, Dimensions & Quality

Specifies requirements for battery appearance, dimensional deviations, and mass deviations to ensure product standardization and consistency.

Electrical Performance

Covers initial charge-discharge performance, rate performance, and energy retention & recovery capability. A key update: the new standard raises the energy efficiency requirement for battery cells under 2Prcn and 2Prdn' conditions from 85% to 90%.

Environmental Adaptability

Addresses performance requirements under high temperature, low temperature, high altitude, and other conditions. A new addition: the high-altitude initial charge-discharge energy test, which specifies that under high-altitude environments, the initial charge-discharge energy of battery cells (at 25±2℃ and rated power) must meet specific requirements.

Durability

Defines requirements for battery cycle life and storage performance. The new standard imposes higher requirements on energy retention and recovery capability of battery cells/modules after initial charging and 30-day storage at 45±2℃.

04 Safety Performance Requirements & Testing Methods

Safety performance is a top priority of GB/T 36276-2023. Building on the 2018 version, the new standard adds multiple safety testing requirements:

Electrical Safety Testing

Includes overcharge, over-discharge, and external short-circuit tests. A critical revision: the short-circuit resistance has been changed from 5mΩ to 1mΩ, making test conditions more stringent.

Mechanical Safety Testing

Covers crush and drop tests. A major update: the crush force has been increased from 13kN to 50kN, significantly raising mechanical safety requirements.

Thermal Safety Testing

Includes thermal runaway tests, requiring no fire or explosion when the battery surface temperature exceeds 90℃. The new standard uses a dual-trigger method (overcurrent + heating) to simulate battery thermal runaway behavior under extreme conditions.

New Safety Testing Items

Adds 6 new safety testing requirements and methods, including:

• Overload performance
• Vibration performance
• Liquid cooling pipeline pressure resistance
• High-altitude insulation performance
• High-altitude voltage withstand performance
• Safety protection performance

05 Testing Process & Sample Requirements

In accordance with GB/T 36276-2023, the testing process for lithium-ion batteries for electrical energy storage mainly includes the following steps:

Select a Testing Institution

Must choose a third-party testing institution with CNAS/CMA accreditation to ensure the authority and credibility of test results.

Sample Preparation

Provide test samples of battery cells, modules, or clusters as required by the standard. The new standard increases the number of test samples for cells and modules to enable a more comprehensive evaluation of battery performance.

Testing & Review

Laboratories conduct performance and safety tests in accordance with the standard. After passing the review, a test report is issued (the timeline may be extended depending on project complexity).

06 Significance & Impact of Standard Implementation

The implementation of GB/T 36276-2023 will have a far-reaching impact on the electrical energy storage industry:

• Enhanced Product Safety: Stricter test conditions and additional test items ensure battery safety under harsh environments, reducing safety accidents.
• Driven Technological Innovation: Promotes enterprises to increase R&D investment, improve battery performance and durability, and advance industrial technological progress and upgrading.
• Standardized Market Order: Raises market access thresholds, eliminates outdated production capacity, and fosters the healthy and orderly development of the electrical energy storage market.
• Facilitated International Alignment: Draws on advanced international experience, enhances the international influence of China’s standards for lithium-ion batteries for electrical energy storage, and supports Chinese enterprises in global competition.

07 Recommendations for Enterprise Compliance

In response to the implementation of GB/T 36276-2023, enterprises involved in lithium-ion batteries for electrical energy storage should:

1. Deepen Standard Learning: Organize technical, quality, and production personnel to thoroughly study the changes in the new standard, especially newly added and tightened test items.
2. Upgrade Production Processes & Equipment: Update production processes and equipment in a timely manner to meet the higher safety and performance requirements of the new standard.
3. Strengthen Supply Chain Management: Impose higher requirements on key raw material and component suppliers to ensure the entire supply chain complies with the new standard.
4. Conduct Early Product Testing: Collaborate with professional testing institutions in advance to conduct comprehensive tests in line with the new standard for new product development and launch, ensuring product compliance.

The implementation of GB/T 36276-2023 Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage marks a new phase of more standardized, safe, and efficient development for China’s electrical energy storage industry. For battery manufacturers, energy storage system integrators, and power station operators, a deep understanding and strict implementation of this standard are not only necessary to meet regulatory requirements but also critical measures to enhance product competitiveness and ensure the safe operation of power stations.

As the global energy transition accelerates, the electrical energy storage market holds broad prospects. Planning ahead and proactively adapting to the new standard will help enterprises gain an advantage in fierce market competition and contribute to building a safe and efficient new power system.