Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are advanced technologies designed to store electrical energy for later use. These systems play a critical role in stabilizing the power grid, integrating renewable energy sources, and providing backup power. This blog post provides an overview of BESS, including their components, applications, types, and benefits.

Battery Energy Storage: Key Components

• Battery Cells: The core energy storage units, typically using lithium-ion batteries (LIB), sodium-ion batteries (SIB), or flow batteries.
• Battery Management System (BMS): Monitors and manages the performance, safety, and state of the battery.
• Inverter/Converter: Converts stored DC power to AC power for grid or device use and vice versa.
• Energy Management System (EMS): Optimizes energy use, tracks demand, and schedules charging/discharging.
• Thermal Management System: Maintains safe operating temperatures for the batteries.
• Enclosure: Protects the system components from environmental factors.

Applications of Battery Energy Storage

Renewable Energy Integration:

• Smoothens the variability of solar and wind energy.
• Stores surplus energy for times when generation is low.

Grid Stabilization:

• Provides frequency regulation.
• Supports peak shaving to reduce demand on the grid.

Backup Power:

• Ensures continuous power during outages.
• Ideal for critical infrastructure like hospitals and data centers.

Energy Arbitrage:

• Stores energy during low-price periods and discharges during high-price times.

Electric Vehicle Charging:

• Supports fast-charging stations with grid buffering capabilities.

Advantages and Challenges of Battery Energy Storage

Pros of BESS:

• Flexibility: Can be scaled for residential, commercial, or utility use.
• Environmental Benefits: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels when paired with renewables.
• Grid Efficiency: Improves power reliability and quality.
• Cost Savings: Reduces peak demand charges and supports energy arbitrage.

Cons of BESS:

• High initial Cost: Especially for lithium-ion systems.
• Battery Degradation: Performance decreases over time with use.
• Safety Concerns: Risk of thermal runaway in some chemistries.
• Recycling and Disposal: Environmental concerns over end-of-life batteries.

Future Trends of Battery Energy Storage

BESS integration in smart grids:

A key aspect is the integration of battery energy storage systems in smart grids. Smart grids can substantially improve the stability of energy distribution to homes and commercial buildings. The energy network improves as more local energy storage units are connected to the smart grid.

Battery Storage for Home:

Battery storage systems for homes are designed to store electricity for later use. This enhances energy independence, reduces utility costs, and improves energy reliability.

Most popular battery storage systems:

Tesla Powerwall:

• Capacity: 13.5 kWh
• Scalability: Up to 10 units can be linked for larger capacities.
• Power Output: 5 kW continuous, 7 kW peak.
• Battery Technology: Lithium-Ion (Cathode material: Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt, NMC)
• Key Features: High energy density, long lifespan, and excellent performance in residential applications.
• Link

LG Chem RESU (Residential Energy Storage Unit) series:

• RESU 10H: 9.8 kWh
• RESU 16H Prime: 16 kWh
• Scalability: Multiple units can be combined for greater storage.
• Battery Technology: Lithium-Ion (Cathode material: Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt, NMC)
• Key Features: High efficiency, compact design, and compatibility with various inverters.
• Link

Sonnen Eco:

• Capacity Options: Ranges from 5 kWh to 20 kWh, depending on the model.
• Scalability: Customizable for larger energy needs.
• Battery Technology: Lithium-Iron-Phosphate as cathode material (LiFePO₄, LFP)
• Key Features: Enhanced safety, long cycle life, and eco-friendly materials.
• Link

Enphase Encharge:

• Encharge 3: 3.4 kWh
• Encharge 10: 10.1 kWh
• Scalability: Up to multiple units depending on system configuration.
• Battery Technology: Lithium-Iron-Phosphate as cathode material (LiFePO₄. LFP)
• Key Features: High thermal stability, long lifespan, and efficient energy management.
• Link

BYD Battery-Box:

• Low Voltage (LV): 4 kWh to 80 kWh (modular, based on configuration).
• High Voltage (HV): 5.1 kWh to 22.1 kWh (per unit, scalable).
• Battery Technology: Lithium-Iron-Phosphate as cathode material (LiFePO₄, LFP)
• Key Features: Excellent safety profile, modular design, and long cycle life.
• Link

Generac PWRcell:

• Base Model: 9 kWh
• Expandable: Up to 36 kWh with additional modules.
• Power Output: Up to 11 kW with full configuration.
• Battery Technology: Lithium-Ion (Cathode material: Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt, NMC)
• Key Features: High energy density and scalability for various residential needs.
• Link

Briggs & Stratton SimpliPHI:

• Base Model: 3.8 kWh per unit
• Scalability: Multiple units can be stacked to meet larger storage needs.
• Battery Technology: Lithium-Iron-Phosphate as cathode material (LiFePO₄, LFP)
• Key Features: Safety, long lifespan, and non-toxic materials.
• Link

Electric Vehicle Battery Storage:

Even the battery of electric vehicles (EV) can be utilized as battery storage for home when connected to a bidirectional charger.

The concept is known as Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) or Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G). It allows energy stored in the EV’s battery to power your home or feed back into the grid. Here’s how it works and what you need to know:

• Two-Way Charging:
  Requires a bidirectional charger capable of both charging the EV battery and discharging it to supply power to the home or grid.
  
• Energy Flow Control:
  A home energy management system (HEMS) or similar system controls the energy flow, determining when to charge or discharge the EV battery.
  
• Integration with Home:
  The EV connects to the home’s electrical panel, and the system synchronizes with household energy needs.

Solar Battery Storage:

Battery storage systems are increasingly popular as renewable energy sources like solar power become more widespread. The combination of solar panels with battery storage systems can create energy independence from the electrical grid.

Furthermore, solar power is a form of renewable energy that reduces the dependency on fossil fuels. This is a critical step to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the impact of climate change.

Battery Energy Backup:

Battery storage systems can be used as an energy backup for homes to store electricity for later use. The battery storage system is providing power during outages or when demand is higher than the supply from the grid.

Advantages of a battery storage system for your home:

• Energy Reliability:
  Provides backup during power outages or grid failures.
  
• Load Shifting:
  Can help reduce electricity costs by storing power during off-peak hours (when electricity is cheaper) and using it during peak hours (when electricity rates are higher).
  
• Renewable Energy Integration:
  If you have solar or wind power, BESS can store the excess energy and make sure it’s used effectively when production is low or demand is high.
  
• Environmental Benefits:
  By using stored renewable energy or shifting load, you reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-based power.

Conclusions:

• Battery energy storage systems (BESS) have a great potential to store energy that is generated from solar or other renewable energy sources.
• The integration of battery storage systems to smart grids can benefit the electrical power grid and ensures energy reliability.
• The battery of an electric vehicle (EV) can be utilized as backup power system with bidirectional charges.
• Currently, the dominating battery technologies are lithium-ion (LIB), sodium-ion (SIB) and flow batteries.
• BESS are scalable, ranging from small residential applications (10-100 kWh) up to large-scale energy storage systems (MWh-GWh).

You might also be interested in other topics in our blog: