BESS: A solution to manage energy proactively
Renewable energy integration
BESS can utilize solar and wind power efficiently at all times and in all weathers. Rechargeable batteries can store excess energy generated by intermittent renewables. Later, this energy can be dispatched according to the users’ needs. When integrated with battery storage solutions, renewable energy sources can replace fossil fuels, offering cheap and clean energy to a diversity of applications. Renewable integration is widely adopted in:
■ solar and wind farms
■ off-grid and isolated communities (islands and hard-to-reach areas) ■ home energy storage devices coupled with solar panels (such as Powerwall) ■ Apart from off-grid systems, a BESS can significantly support on-grid and hybrid solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial use.
Figure 1: A typical BESS structure. (Image source: Integra Sources LLC)
Energy arbitrage
There is a positive correlation between the demand for electricity and its cost. The energy price increases during peak demand periods and decreases when the demand drops. Energy arbitrage, alias time-shifting, is what consumers can apply using a battery storage system.
Figure 2: Battery energy storage systems are widely used in solar and wind farms. (Image source: Integra Sources LLC)
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