{"operation":"document","citation":"25-0058","title":"Invinity Energy Systems — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2025-06-10","effective_on":null,"summary":"25-0058 response to Invinity Energy Systems concerning 171.15, 173.159.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0058.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0058.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0058","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2025-06/250058.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nJune 10, 2025\nDerek Polman-Tuin\nDirector\nInvinity Energy Systems\n1250 E. Pender Street\nVancouver, B.C., Canada V6A 1W8\nReference No. 25-0058\nDear Mr. Polman-Tuin:\nThis letter is in response to your April 23, 2025 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to wet batteries transported via\nhighway. Specifically, you explain that your company designs and manufactures vanadium flow\nbatteries classified as “UN2794, Batteries, wet, filled with acid, electric storage, 8.” You state\nthat these batteries contain a non-flammable, aqueous electrolyte solution containing vanadium\nsulfate. You are seeking confirmation that the transportation of these batteries, as described\nbelow and in accordance with the requirements of § 173.159(e), is not subject to any other\nrequirement of the HMR.\n• The battery is shipped fully discharged.\n• The power and energy storage elements (i.e., the tanks) of the battery are physically\nseparated and the power elements (i.e., stacks) contain no stored energy.\n• No voltage on the terminals (0 V).\n• Stacks have no exposed terminals to prevent short circuiting.\n• Stacks are firmly secured within a rigid metal racking system that separates each stack to\nprevent short circuiting.\n• The metal racking system containing the stacks is firmly secured and integrated into a\n20-ft International Organization for Standardization/Convention of Safe Containers\n(ISO/CSC) certified steel container.\n• The 20-ft ISO/CSC certified container has re-enforced structures, fixtures, and secondary\ncontainment.\n• No other hazardous material is shipped with the complete unit.\n• No other materials are transported on the vehicle.\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nBased on the information as described and the photographs you provided, it is the opinion of this\nOffice that the batteries meet the requirements of § 173.159(e) for highway transport. Please note\nthat batteries transported in this manner are still subject to incident reporting requirements in\n§ 171.15.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nDirk Der Kinderen\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nBaker, Y.\n25-0058\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nCc: Hazmat Interps; Baker, Yul (PHMSA)\nSubject: FW: Request for a letter of interpretation\nDate: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 9:29:55\nAttachments: image001.png\nLetter of Interpretation_DOT.docx\nHi Alice,\nPlease see the attached interpretation request. Let us know if you need anything.\nSincerely,\nJanaye\nFrom: Derek Polman-Tuin <DPolmanTuin@invinity.com>\nSent: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 6:58 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nCc: Benjamin Duperthal <bduperthal@invinity.com>; Derek Polman-Tuin\n<DPolmanTuin@invinity.com>\nSubject: Request for a letter of interpretation\nYou don't often get email from dpolmantuin@invinity.com. Learn why this is important\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do\nnot click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content\nis safe.\nGood morning,\nPlease see attached request for a letter of interpretation.\nThe letter outlines our understanding of the regulations, our battery classification and detailed information\n(with pictures), which confirms it meets the highway(Road) requirements under 49CFR 173.159(e).\nMailing Address:\nInvinity Energy Systems\nAttn: Derek Polman-Tuin\n1250 E. Pender Street\nVancouver, BC\nCanada\nV6A 1W8\nPlease feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.\nThank you,\nDerek\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nDerek Polman-Tuin\nDirector, Global Logistics & Trade\nCompliance\ndpolmantuin@invinity.com\nVAN:+1.604.335.7117","truncated":false,"body_characters":3906}