A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) collects solar energy from many sources, stores it in rechargeable batteries, and makes it available for later use. The battery’s discharged electrochemical energy may power homes, electric cars, and industrial and commercial buildings. BESS possesses immense potential and has given the solar energy sector a new impetus.
Physical components of BESS
The physical components of BESS include:
- Battery modules.
- Storage enclosure with thermal management
- A Battery management system (BMS) that protects the battery from fires and hazards.
- Power conversion system (PCS)
- An Energy management system (EMS) that controls the energy flow within a battery storage system.
BESS and its benefits
BESS systems provide several benefits to the electricity grid. These benefits are as follows:
Frequency regulation – An increase or decrease in frequency must be quickly addressed to maintain grid stability. BESS systems provide a fast frequency response (FFR) in reaction to a frequency shift to reduce the imbalance of the generators.
Emergency response systems – BESS can provide emergency response services like frequency control, ramping, and voltage support close to energy-dependability services from synchronous facilities. This process, also known as Primary Frequency Response (PFR), restores the system to its natural frequency levels.
Operating reserves – To maintain a stable power system, generation must always precisely meet electrical consumption. All sorts of operational reserves and auxiliary services, which operate on timeframes ranging from sub-seconds to many hours, are required to maintain grid dependability.
BESS are useful for short-term dependability services, such as Primary Frequency Response (PFR) and Regulation, since they can rapidly charge or discharge in a fraction of a second, quicker than traditional thermal plants. A BESS of sufficient capacity can also provide longer-duration services, such as load-following and ramping, to guarantee that supply matches demand.
Reduction of grid congestion – All excess energy produced by solar energy systems may be stored while demand is low, reducing grid congestion. When demand increases again, the stored energy may be sold at the peak rate. It enables solar PV generators to earn money and maximize their renewable energy power plant’s capacity.
Energy arbitrage – Energy arbitrage entails charging the battery while energy prices are low and draining it during peak hours when energy is more expensive.
By charging the battery with low-cost energy during periods of excess renewable output and discharging during periods of high demand, BESS can simultaneously decrease renewable energy curtailment and enhance the market value of the energy producers can sell.
Capacity Firming – Capacity firming is commonly used to maintain the grid stable in the face of possible intermittency from wind, solar, and hydro. Grid operators must also combine auxiliary resources and services to achieve this objective.
System operators must guarantee that they have a sufficient generation capacity to reliably fulfil demand throughout the peak demand times of a given year. BESS can also be utilized to ensure enough peaking generating capacity, depending on the form of the load curve.
BESS is a good resource for stabilizing the output of a solar photovoltaic or wind power plant. If a renewable power plant’s output falls short of expectations, the stored energy can be used to supplement the shortfall and close the gap.
Black start – Before generating energy for the grid, large generators must conduct crucial activities using an external source of electricity. During typical operating conditions, the grid can deliver external power. In the event of a system breakdown, however, the grid cannot provide this power, and diesel generators must be used to power the generators. This method is referred to as a black start. This service can be provided by an on-site BESS, reducing traditional black start generators’ fuel costs and emissions.
Nimbus Solar Solutions: Pioneers in the solar energy industry
Nimbus Solar, the Solar division of Nimbus, extends its offerings for residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural purposes. It supplies a wide range of solar products that use the industry’s best components, backed by a team of experienced and dedicated engineers and technicians.
With a Pan-India presence, with branch offices in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, it provides highly efficient, customized products and technical services for the installation and maintenance of solar energy systems.
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