Intertek CEA Audit Prevents Unsafe Equipment from Reaching Client and Reveals Supplier Misconduct

Summary 

A U.S.-based renewable energy developer engaged CEA to conduct a proactive third-party quality audit of a battery cabinet supplier. The audit revealed that the developer was at risk of installing cabinets with structural and electrical defects—issues that could have compromised both safety and system performance. Thanks to early detection, the developer was able to reject the shipment and switch to a different supplier before the components reached the project site. Although CEA had no control over the supplier’s subsequent actions, it was later discovered that the defective batch had been sold to another buyer, highlighting the broader risks of limited quality oversight in the supply chain.

What We Did

• Audited supplier-sourced battery cabinets for a utility-scale ESS project

• Verified product quality and compliance with project requirements

• Reported key defects and deviations to the client for action

What We Found & Fixed

• Identified structural and electrical safety issues (faulty door hinges and poor weatherproofing) and prevented the defective battery cabinets from reaching the client’s site

• The client rejected the shipment, sourced a new supplier, and avoided delays.

• Learned post-audit that the supplier resold the same defective cabinets to another buyer—highlighting risks when third-party QA is absent

Why This Matters

• Third-Party QA Prevents Risk: CEA caught a major defect that internal teams and suppliers missed

• Supplier Oversight Is Critical: Even established vendors need external checks

• Early Detection Saves Time: The issue was resolved before reaching the site

---