Storing energy is not a new concept, you may have used small scale rechargeable batteries for years in your home or workplace. Interest in batteries as an energy store on a commercial scale has increased in recent years. We often get asked to explain exactly what battery energy storage systems are, how they work and what benefits they can bring to a business. Our Head of Sales, Nigel Dent, explains.
“Battery energy storage systems (or BESS as they are sometimes known) are systems that can capture and store energy – either from the grid or from renewables such as solar and wind power – and then use that power when it is needed.
Their use on a commercial scale has grown over the last few years, primarily due to two key reasons: the proliferation of solar PV for commercial premises and the growth of electric vehicles which has led to an increased electricity demand needed for charging.
Solar PV generation in the UK has increased substantially in recent years however much of that energy generated is wasted because the energy is not stored. This is where battery storage comes in. As the world moves to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, renewable energy generation working alongside battery energy storage is key.
Another key driver in the rise of battery energy storage is the increase in the number of electric vehicles on the roads. Lithium-ion, which is used in EV batteries, are ideal for the use of energy storage. Multiple batteries, combined into one system, operated through control systems and software are revolutionary.
