A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is an electrochemical device that stores electrical energy from a power plant or grid and later discharges it to provide electricity or other grid services.
Electrochemical energy storage encompasses various secondary batteries, which convert the chemical energy in their active materials into electrical energy through an electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction. The main types of electrochemical energy storage systems include:
- Sodium Batteries
- Lead Acid Batteries
- Lithium-ion Batteries
- Flow Batteries
The rising demand for lithium-ion battery technology, particularly in electric vehicles and solar projects, has significantly propelled the BESS market. For example, the United Kingdom has witnessed a substantial increase in BESS deployment, leveraging lithium-ion batteries to support solar power and other renewable energy sources integration into the grid.
In the United States, BESS technology is pivotal in the energy transition, driven by the need to integrate renewable energy into the grid. The growing demand for clean energy has led to numerous battery storage projects aimed at enhancing grid stability and efficiency.
Several factors are driving the adoption of BESS, including:
- Grid Integration of Renewable Energy: Reducing variability in renewable energy sources.
- Storage of Renewable Generation Peaks: Utilizing excess energy during peak generation for use during demand peaks.
- Flattening Demand Peaks: Reducing stress on grid equipment by managing demand peaks.
- Infrastructure Support: Addressing increased loads due to electric vehicle use.
- Cost Reduction: Lowering or eliminating power fees related to short-time peak loads.
- Uninterrupted Power Supply: Meeting the demand in data centres, telecommunications, and other industries.
- Industrial Demand: Catering to the needs of heavy machinery and other sectors.
In the United States, the Inflation Reduction Act has incentivised BESS projects through tax credits and financial incentives for clean energy investments. This policy has spurred increased BESS deployment, with notable projects like the Moss Landing Energy Storage Project and the Escondido Substation Energy Storage Project contributing to the green strategy and promoting sustainable energy practices.
The future of BESS projects and the industry is set for substantial growth and innovation. Companies such as Tesla, with their Megapack, LG Energy Solution, and Energy Vault, are at the forefront, revolutionising the energy storage landscape with advanced lithium-ion technology. The demand for reliable energy storage solutions to harness solar and wind energy drives this shift.
In regions like Greater Manchester, initiatives such as the Victorian Big Battery highlight the growing importance of BESS in the green energy transition. The Manatee Energy Storage Center in Florida, developed by Duke Energy, exemplifies the potential of large-scale battery storage systems in enhancing grid stability. Partnerships between energy companies, like Carlton Power and LS Power, are accelerating the expansion of BESS projects, reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
With ongoing technological advancements and supportive initiatives like those by the Trafford Council in the UK, the BESS industry is poised to play a crucial role in the global transition towards a sustainable future. Large-scale battery energy storage projects are paving the way for efficient storage and distribution of renewable energy, essential for the world’s shift towards a low-carbon economy. As this transition progresses, the significance of BESS projects will continue to grow, underscoring their importance in a sustainable energy landscape.
SAE Renewables Limited (LON:SAE) was founded in 2005 as a supplier of tidal stream turbines, SAE quickly grew to include development of tidal stream projects and is the majority owner of MeyGen, the world’s largest tidal stream energy project.
