Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) helps businesses reduce peak loads on the electricity grid by using temporarily stored energy during periods of high electricity consumption. This process is also known as peak shaving.

When machines, charging points, HVAC systems or production processes all require a lot of power at the same time, this results in a spike in energy consumption. A BESS can immediately supply additional power at that moment, thereby reducing the amount of power required from the grid connection.

This enables companies to:

• avoid higher transport costs;
• remain within the contracted connection capacity;
• expand without the need for immediate network upgrades;
• better management of grid congestion.

A BESS is often controlled by an Energy Management System (EMS), which provides real-time insight into energy consumption, generation and the load on the connection. This enables the system to automatically store or release energy at the most efficient times.

The cost of a battery energy storage system depends on several factors, including:

• the required power (kW or MW);
• the storage capacity (kWh or MWh);
• the application;
• integration with existing systems;
• the necessary security and cooling systems.

In addition to the initial investment, companies need to take the following into account:

• engineering and installation;
• connection to the electrical infrastructure;
• maintenance and monitoring;
• software and EMS integration;
• any necessary permits or grid studies.

For industrial applications, the investment typically ranges from tens of thousands of euros to hundreds of thousands or even millions of euros for large-scale systems.

The payback period is often between 4 and 7 years. This depends on:

• energy tariffs;
• peak load;
• network costs;
• use for energy trading or FCR;
• available grants or tax schemes.

A BESS helps businesses reduce their energy costs by storing and using energy more efficiently. The system stores electricity when demand is low or electricity prices are favourable, and feeds this energy back into the grid during peak periods or when tariffs are high.

The main ways in which a BESS reduces costs:

• peak shaving: reducing peak demand and transmission costs;
• load shifting: using energy at times when it is cost-effective;
• optimisation of in-house solar energy;
• reducing feed-in losses;
• preventing network congestion;
• participation in energy markets such as FCR.

For businesses with high and fluctuating energy consumption, a BESS can help make energy costs more predictable and ensure better utilisation of the existing grid connection.

Industrial BESS installations must meet strict safety and environmental requirements. This is important due to the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries and the role the system plays within the electrical infrastructure.

Key points to note are:

• fire detection and fire compartmentation;
• temperature monitoring and active cooling;
• emergency stop devices;
• ventilation and flue gas extraction;
• monitoring of battery status and performance;
• safe installation and accessibility.

In addition, various standards and guidelines apply, including:

• CE marking;
• IEC standards;
• UN 38.3 for the transport of batteries;
• guidelines issued by insurers and safety authorities;
• requirements of network operators.

Modern BESS systems are equipped with comprehensive Battery Management Systems (BMS) that continuously monitor the temperature, state of charge and safety of the battery cells. Sustainability also plays an important role. Many modern battery systems are largely recyclable and designed for a long service life.

A BESS is often combined with solar panels and EV charging points to make more efficient use of locally generated energy.

During the day, surplus solar energy can be stored in the battery system rather than being fed directly back into the grid. This stored energy can be used later:

• for charging electric vehicles;
• during peak demand;
• outdoor sunshine hours;
• or when energy prices are high.

By integrating a BESS smartly with charging infrastructure, the following is achieved:

• less strain on the mains connection;
• more available loading capacity;
• better use of solar energy;
• lower energy costs;
• less reliance on grid reinforcement.

An Energy Management System (EMS) ensures that solar panels, charging points and battery storage work together optimally based on demand, generation and energy prices.

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) can help organisations that are unable to obtain the desired capacity from their network operator due to grid congestion. In many regions, the electricity grid is overloaded, meaning that businesses are unable to secure a higher-capacity grid connection or find themselves on a waiting list for years.

In such cases, a BESS offers a practical solution by temporarily providing additional power from locally stored energy.

The system acts as an energy buffer:

• the battery is charged during periods of low consumption or when solar energy is available;
• During peak periods, the BESS supplies additional power to the system.

This means that not all the energy needs to be supplied from the grid at the same time.

In practical terms, this means that companies:

• electric vehicles can be charged without a higher-voltage mains connection;
• expand production processes within the existing grid capacity;
• can cope with peak demand;
• accelerate sustainability projects;
• become less dependent on constraints on the electricity grid.

A BESS does not, therefore, literally increase the capacity of the grid connection, but makes smarter use of the available capacity. In practice, this results in more usable power for the organisation.

When combined with an Energy Management System (EMS), a BESS can automatically respond to:

• energy consumption;
• peak load;
• solar power generation;
• dynamic energy tariffs;
• load on the mains connection.

This means that, despite grid congestion, businesses can continue to grow, electrify their operations and become more sustainable without being directly dependent on the expansion of the electricity grid.