Image: Wartsila. The noise of battery energy storage system (BESS) technology has “exploded” as a concern in the last six months, an executive from system integrator Wartsila ES&O said. BESS units primarily emit noise from their cooling systems, but balance of system (BOS) components like inverters and transformers also produce noise emissions.
Battery Container Battery containers generally make little noise during normal operation when external ambient air temperatures are in the 5°C to 25°C range. Outside this range, greater demand is placed on heating/cooling and ventilation equipment to ensure no loss of storage capacity (below 5°C) and no damage due to overheating (above 25°C).
Our field measurements show a wide range of noise levels generated by the cooling systems of BESS equipment. Noise levels tend to range from 70 to 92 decibels when measured 1 meter from the component. Key components and noise sources of a BESS facility include: Batteries: Rechargeable battery units are the core of the Battery Energy Storage System.
Sound from inlet and outlet airflow vents, as well as fans and pumps are emitted from each battery enclosure. The sounds from these systems are similar to rooftop heating ventilation and cooling units in residential and commercial buildings.
In July, 2022, NMS was retained to conduct a detailed noise study for a new Battery Energy Storage Facility near Los Angeles (for confidentiality purposes, no identifying client or site information is included in this article). The facility consisted of over 300 batteries, over 60 PCS units and two transformers covering about 6 acres of land.
We were able to demonstrate the facility complied with the City’s 45 dBA nighttime noise requirement. If you want further advice on battery storage facility noise issues or have already decided to take action and need a noise output tested and analyzed, contact Noise Monitoring Services today on (323) 546-9902.