Wouldn’t it be great if energy could be stored and used when the need arose? Well, it is possible. There is more than one way to store energy. For example, energy can be stored as heat and converted to electricity, or can be stored and converted from potential energy as in the case of hydel power plants. The most efficient and cost-effective method, however, is BESS.
What does BESS stand for?
BESS (battery energy storage system) is an advanced technology that enables the storing of electricity in batteries from diverse energy sources, for subsequent use when needed. BESS devices use rechargeable batteries to store energy from thermal plants, renewable energy sources, hydel power plants, or just about any source. The energy is stored in the battery and utilized when power is required.
With a BESS in place, electricity consumers of any scale can benefit from a consistent flow of power without encountering voltage variances from power outages, climate, or other factors. BESS is an essential and complementary technology in the quest to grow sustainable power sources and the drive to accomplish Net Zero carbon. This is especially so in the case of off-grid renewable energy installations in places like remote research labs, offshore oil rigs, private islands or any residence, institution or industry that relies on uninterrupted supply of electricity.
Adopting BESS is not a luxury, but an essential requirement in a world that is edging closer towards the goal of having independent, green energy. This blog post will answer the questions “What is BESS?”.
What are battery energy storage systems (BESS)?
With sustainable living becoming a way of life, one question that arises is “What is energy storage?” An energy storage system is any system that can store and dispense energy on demand. Most of such systems use electrochemical batteries. There are two types of batteries. In normal batteries, the electrochemical reaction is non-reversible. In re-chargeable batteries, the electrochemical reaction is reversible, restoring the chemical to its original state when electricity is returned to it.
A BESS is made of one or more reversible batteries that can store electrical energy to address electrical energy demands. BESS can also provide advantages over other energy storage systems. These include greater scalability, efficiency, flexibility, and faster response times when powering up equipment or devices. The best advantage is that BESS can be set up and used at a lower cost as compared to other similar energy storage systems. BESS renewable energy is popularly used in electricity grids. They are also used actively in solar power installations, smart homes, and electric vehicles.
Understanding how battery storage systems work
A battery-based energy storage system like BESS works by capturing energy for later use from either sustainable or non-inexhaustible sources. It then stores this energy in rechargeable batteries which act as a storage device. Because all batteries are essentially electrochemical, the battery in a BESS is a Direct Current (DC) device. It functions by discharging a voltage from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the battery through a circuit. Any electrical device connected to the battery receives DC current.
A BESS can also receive energy from a power grid. It then stores this energy by using a specialized technology for battery storage. The BESS can then discharge electricity to the grid when required, as in the case of power outages, peak demands, or even for grid balancing. This requires additional technology to convert AC to DC while storing, and from DC back to AC for discharging power to the grid. Earlier systems used a rectifier to convert AC power to DC, and an inverter to convert DC back to AC. Nowadays, bidirectional inverter performs both tasks efficiently. This enables the power to flow in both directions. This is used to charge and discharge the battery. Another essential component of a BESS is an energy management system or EMS that manages and monitors the efficient functioning of all parts of the BESS framework.
Technology of BESS
A BESS comes built with technologies that allow it to safely capture charge the battery and then successfully discharge the power back from the battery to the utility grid. These include the following:
- Inverters: These devices transform direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), as the AC is the common type of electricity used in businesses and homes. The inverters must match the voltage and frequency of the source (and destination).
- Control components: The charging and discharging of the batteries are managed by the control components in a BESS. These components manage the flow of power to and from the grid for on-grid systems, and maintain safe battery temperatures.
- Integrated sensors: Another important technology that a BESS employs is integrated sensors. These monitor the performance and conditions of a BESS and flag situations that may require intervention or changes in settings.
- Multiple battery modules: A BESS could use multiple battery modules that are made up of several batteries. This enable the system to scale up or down swiftly and efficiently, and facilitates maintenance and replacements with minimal downtime..
BESS power and energy ratings
The capacity of a BESS is measured in megawatts (MW) or kilowatts (KW) units for power, and in megawatt-hours (MWh) or kilowatt-hours (kWh) for energy ratings. This power-to-energy ratio is normally higher in conditions when the energy is required to be discharged within a quick time frame, like frequency regulation application. [ES1] The energy rating of a BESS is usually one of the factors that determines the price.
Types of battery energy storage systems
Battery electrical storage systems are generally distinguished by the type of battery used. The capacity, efficiency, and technology differ across battery types. What BESS one chooses is based on how closely its features match the requirement. The main tyoes of BESS batteries are listed below:
- Lithium-Ion batteries: These batteries come with a high energy density and are comparatively lighter in weight. This makes them easy to ship and install. They are also the most popular type of BESS.
- Lead-acid batteries: These batteries are more affordable than lithium-particle batteries yet have a limited life expectancy and are less effective. There are two types of lead-acid batteries—tubular batteries and plate batteries. The former is more efficient.
- Flow batteries: This new type of BESS batteries comes with a longer lifespan when compared with lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries. It is also better suited for longer operational times. It saves energy using an electrolyte solution. The energy is then diverted to other parts of the battery.
Application of Battery Energy Storage Systems
The Benefits of using a BESS in your electrical installation are many. Some of them include:
- Peak saving: In peak saving, the peak electricity demand is minimized by utilizing the stored energy to meet the demands. This can bring down the overall use of electricity. The need to build new power plants or upgrade an existing grid can also be reduced.
- Microgrids: These small independent power systems can operate either by being connected or disconnected from the main grid. Using a BESS can offer backup power for a microgrid in the case of an outage. This can help to stabilize the grid by giving out energy even during periods when the demand is at the highest.
- Uninterruptible power supply: This electrical apparatus can provide continuous power to critical loads in the event of a power outage. A UPS is used in conjunction with a BESS. This ensures the functioning of critical equipment, without interruptions from a power outage.
Advantages of battery energy storage systems
A BESS can offer more than one advantage, such as the following:
- Steady energy flow whenever required, irrespective of the weather conditions.
- Protection from potential supply interruptions that could threaten the energy supply.
- Reduction in carbon emissions from fossil fuels by combatting the effects of global warming.
- Continues energy supply from a BESS reduces grid dependency
- Can be used to co-locate solar photovoltaic, wind turbines, and gas generation technologies.
- Improvements in the reliability, availability, and efficiency of the power supply
- Can be used in any geographical location to ensure business continuity.
Conclusion
Endur offers a wide range of grid-scale BESS solutions. The client’s generation capacity, available space, and region are taken into careful consideration before a BESS solution is suggested. With a BESS solution from Endur, you can be sure to reduce operational costs and maximize on your profits.