Commercial energy storage systems (ESS) work by storing electricity in batteries for later use. This stored energy is used to power facilities during peak demand periods or when traditional energy sources, such as the grid, are unavailable. Here’s a more detailed look at how commercial ESS operate:
- Charging stage: During charging, electricity from the grid or other renewable sources like wind or solar energy is fed into the batteries. This charging typically occurs during periods of low demand when electricity prices are typically lower.
- Discharging stage: During discharging, the stored energy in the batteries is released to power the facility or electrical load. This typically happens during peak demand periods or during power grid failures.
- Inverter stage: To convert the DC (direct current) stored in the batteries to AC (alternating current) power, an inverter is used. The inverter ensures that the electricity output is compatible with the facility’s required load, which is typically AC.
- Energy management system: An energy management system (EMS) oversees the ESS’s operation, including charging and discharging. An EMS can optimize the operation of the ESS to minimize costs and ensure it operates efficiently.
- Monitoring and control system: As with most sophisticated infrastructure, commercial ESS requires monitoring and control systems. Sophisticated software that tracks the energy flow, battery levels and system performance is used to monitor the ESS and make appropriate adjustments to optimize its operation.
Commercial ESS technology is continually evolving. As such, new advancements such as lithium-ion batteries and solid-state batteries are becoming more prevalent. These batteries have longer lifetimes and are more energy-dense than traditional lead-acid batteries, making them the technology of choice for energy storage in many commercial applications.
