BESS stands for Battery Energy Storage System. It is a system that stores energy in batteries for later use. BESSs can be used for a variety of uses, including:
- Backup power: BESS can provide backup power to critical loads, such as homes, businesses, hospitals and emergency services, during a grid failure. This can help to ensure that essential services continue to operate even when the grid is down.
- Time-of-use management: BESS can help energy consumers to save money by allowing them to store energy when it is cheaper and use it when it is more expensive.
- Grid-scale energy storage: BESS can be used to store energy generated by renewable sources such as solar and wind, and then release it back into the grid when needed. This can help to integrate renewable energy into the grid and improve the reliability of the electric system.
- Ancillary services: BESS can provide grid services such as frequency regulation, voltage support, and peak shaving, which can help to improve the reliability and efficiency of the electric grid.
- Microgrids: BESS can be used to create "islanded" microgrids, which are independent power systems that can continue to operate even when the main grid is down. This can help to keep essential services running and reduce the duration of outages.
- Electric vehicles: BESS can be used to store energy for electric vehicles (EVs) and to provide charging stations for EVs.
- Distributed generation: BESS can be used to store energy generated by distributed energy resources, such as rooftop solar panels, and then release it back into the grid when needed.
- Black start support: BESS can be used to provide power to start up and synchronize generators, allowing the grid to be restored quickly after a failure.
BESS Components
BESSs typically consist of a large number of battery cells or modules connected in series and/or parallel to form a single energy storage unit. They also include a battery management system (BMS) to monitor and control the charging and discharging of the battery pack, and a power conversion system (PCS/Inverter) to convert the stored energy from DC to AC and vice-versa.
The size of a BESS can range from a few kilowatts (kW) to several megawatts (MW), depending on the application. The energy storage capacity can also vary, from a few kilowatt-hours (kWh) to several megawatt-hours (MWh).
In recent years, BESS have gained popularity for in-home use and to support renewable energy integration in the grid and support the electrification of transportation sector.
What are the benefits of BESS?
- Cost savings: BESS can help energy consumers to save money by allowing them to store energy when it is cheaper and use it when it is more expensive.
- Grid stability: BESS can help to stabilize the grid by providing energy storage capacity that can be used to smooth out fluctuations in energy demand and supply.
- Renewable energy integration: BESS can be used to store excess energy generated by renewable sources such as solar and wind, and then release it back into the grid when needed.
- Grid services: BESS can provide grid services such as frequency regulation, voltage support, and peak shaving, which can help to improve the reliability and efficiency of the electric grid.
- Energy independence: BESS can help communities, businesses, and individuals to become more energy independent by allowing them to generate and store their own power.
- Emission reduction: BESS can help to reduce emissions by allowing for increased penetration of renewable energy and reducing the need for fossil fuel-based power generation.
Connecting BESS with Virtual Power Plant
A virtual power plant (VPP) is a system that uses a network of distributed energy resources, such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), to provide grid services and to balance supply and demand on the electric grid. A VPP can include a wide variety of energy resources such as solar panels, wind turbines, and BESS.
A BESS-based VPP is a virtual power plant that uses BESS as the primary energy storage component. The BESS units are interconnected through a central control system and can be controlled remotely to balance supply and demand on the electric grid. This allows for a more efficient use of energy resources and can help to improve the reliability and stability of the electric grid.
A BESS-based VPP can provide many of the same services as a traditional power plant, such as frequency regulation, peak shaving, and voltage support. It can also be used to integrate renewable energy into the grid and to provide backup power during grid failures.
In addition, a BESS-based VPP can offer several benefits over traditional power plants, such as:
- Lower costs: BESS-based VPPs can be less expensive to build and operate than traditional power plants.
- Increased flexibility: A BESS-based VPP can respond quickly to changes in energy demand and supply, making it more flexible than a traditional power plant.
- Reduced emissions: A BESS-based VPP can reduce emissions by allowing for increased penetration of renewable energy and reducing the need for fossil fuel-based power generation.
- Decentralized control: A BESS-based VPP can be controlled and operated by multiple stakeholders, allowing for more distributed and decentralized decision-making.
- Scalability: BESS-based VPP can be scaled up or down as needed, making it more adaptable to changing energy demands.