Energy Storage Systems
For centuries humans have been trying to create ways to store and control the use of energy – Starting from ancient copper filled vessels to the modern-day lithium-ion batteries, we’re always looking for ways to stow unused energy.
As our world gets more connected and we move away from the finite resources of fossil fuels, storage is quickly becoming a popular commodity; lending itself to capture the energy produced by both natural gases and renewable sources. Which is especially important when considering that unlike oil and gas energy production that can be scaled up or down based on demand, the electricity that’s produced from solar and wind must be used (Or stored) the moment it’s created.
In order to make steps towards a greener future, storage and efficient pooling of complementary technologies is critical to bring more renewable energy projects online and ultimately to make our electric grid more resilient in times of peak demand.
At Greenvolt Power, we recognize the significance of building adaptable energy systems and the role that battery storage development has to ensure energy security for all.
How Does It Work?
Energy storage systems (ESS) use energy sources to charge a storage device which can then be used to supply electricity when needed.
In the U.S. the five main types of ESSs include:
Batteries
Compressed air storage
Flywheels
Pumped storage hydroelectric
Solar electric with thermal energy storage
We currently implement battery energy storage systems (BESS) which are electrochemical devices that collect energy from our solar or wind farms that can then be discharged at a later time to provide grid services when necessary.
There are several elements that go into building these systems other than just the battery, this includes inverters, control components and integrated sensors for monitoring its’ operations.
However, the infrastructure is highly dependent on the type of batteries used since each type of battery has its own pros and cons: We use lithium-ion batteries due to their high energy density and lightweight design which makes them easier to transport and install.
Advantages to Using BESS
Provides a cost-effective solution to stockpile the surplus electricity produced by our solar and wind farms allowing for green energy to be consumed even when the farms aren’t generating power (i.e. Using solar energy at night);
