Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are pivotal technologies for sustainable and efficient energy solutions.
Individual batteries form the core of the BESS system, storing electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. These batteries are typically made up of lithium-ion cells due to their high energy density and long lifespan. Cells are grouped together into modules to achieve the desired energy capacity and power output.
A BESS collects energy from renewable energy sources, such as wind and or solar panels or from the electricity network and stores the energy using battery storage technology. The batteries discharge to release energy when necessary, such as during peak demands, power outages, or grid balancing.
Certain BESS batteries may contain toxic or hazardous materials, posing significant environmental and health risks if not managed or disposed of correctly. This highlights the need for stringent disposal and recycling protocols to mitigate potential negative environmental and public health impacts. 5. Energy Conversion Losses
Using these battery energy storage systems alongside power generation technologies such as gas-fired Combined Heat and Power (CHP), standby diesel generation, and UPS systems will provide increased resilience mitigating a potential loss of operational costs, whilst protecting your brand.
A crucial component of the BESS operation is its Energy Management System (EMS), which intelligently controls the charging and discharging of the batteries. Wattstor’s unique Podium EMS, for example, allows for day-ahead forecasting of price, generation, load and battery state of charge.