ESS or Energy Storage Systems provide ways to store energy for use at a later time. They are often used in conjunction with renewable energy which can come from intermittent sources such as solar or wind. This allows the energy generated to be saved until needed when it can then be released. As we move away from fossil fuels and embrace more renewable energy sources, we must increase the stability and reliability of our energy supply. By using ESS with renewable energy, we can harness the power of the natural world and create a system to provide reliable and consistent energy. Some of the most common types of ESS include batteries, pumped hydro storage, compressed air energy storage, flywheels, thermal storage, and hydrogen storage. As with all technologies they each have their pros and cons, and we will take a look at their growing importance in today’s energy landscape.
What is an Energy Storage System (ESS)?
ESS refers to technologies designed to store energy for later use. Energy Storage Systems allow us to store energy produced by any method, but commonly used for renewable energy, which is inherently intermittent, and then use it when required. For the grid to run smoothly, we need to be able to balance out the supply and demand placed upon the grid. By utilising ESS, we can ensure that we have the energy available to balance out the grid, by releasing extra energy as required that has been stored up. While ESS refers to all storage technologies such as mechanical, thermal, and chemical. BESS, on the other hand, specifically refers to systems that store energy using batteries.
How Do Energy Storage Systems Work?
ESS works by capturing energy during periods of low demand and releasing it during high demand. There are different ways to store the energy, these include thermal and electrochemical. Thermal energy storage relies on the capture and release of hot or cold. Batteries use chemical energy to store electrical energy, using interconnected battery cells that store and release energy electrochemically. ESS is vital to stabilise the grid. As demand varies, with people wanting more power during peak times, the grid is placed under pressure during these times. Having energy stored up, means that this energy can be fed into the grid when demand is high to ensure that there is a consistent energy supply.
Types of Energy Storage Systems
Chemical storage systems use various battery chemistries, with lithium-ion batteries being the most common, due to their high energy density, efficiency, and cycle life. It works by converting electricity into chemical energy, then in reverse, the stored chemical energy is converted back into electrical energy. Batteries are very commonly used and can be used in both residential and commercial setups. Thermal energy storage, or TES, involves storing thermal energy in a medium such as water, molten salts, or phase-change materials. The
stored thermal energy can be discharged to provide heating or cooling for power generation. Mechanical storage systems include flywheel energy storage systems that store energy in their spinning rotor and pumped hydro storage which utilises the power of water to store and release energy. Supercapacitors store electrical energy via electrostatic charge separation, which enables quick charging and discharging cycles. Thermochemical energy storage is an emerging technology which uses materials to store heat through reversible chemical reactions.
Applications of Energy Storage Systems
ESS provides grid stability and resilience, which helps to manage the peaks of energy demand, and power outages. As we work to integrate renewable energy into our energy network, ESS is a vital component of this process, as it allows the surplus energy to be stored until it is needed. Renewable energy is invariably inconsistent in its output, but being able to store it, and then release it in a steady flow, eradicates the issues caused by its inconsistency. ESS can be used successfully in commercial applications to help manage peaks and troughs in demand, providing business stability and resilience. ESS has now been developed for residential use, making solar power a feasible and affordable solution towards our domestic energy crisis.
Advantages of Energy Storage Systems
There are many advantages to utilising ESS. They maximise renewable energy, by storing excess energy and releasing it when needed. They help to save money through load shifting and reducing reliance on peak-hour energy costs. They help lower carbon footprint by enhancing energy efficiency and integrating more renewable energy sources. They improve voltage stability, and frequency regulation, and reduce outages.
Challenges and Risks in Energy Storage Systems
As with all systems, there are associated risks, and understanding these risks will better help to mitigate them. Energy can generate surplus heat, which can build up and pose a risk if not correctly managed. As we turn more and more to renewable energy sources, and consequently need more energy storage systems we are turning to the earth’s resources to acquire the materials needed to build these systems, such as lithium. There is a risk of depleting the earth’s natural resources. As we store more and more energy we must have proper ESS management strategies to ensure that the associated risks, such as battery fires, and degradation are managed effectively.
Future Trends in Energy Storage
Technological innovations are constantly evolving with breakthroughs in battery storage, supercapacitors, and hybrid storage systems. We are becoming more aware of the need to recycle and repurpose, so that we don’t deplete the earth’s resources, in activities such as
mining for lithium for batteries. The importance of ESS is seen in the global energy markets and government policy and incentives adopting energy storage technologies.
How to Choose the Right Energy Storage System
When choosing the best ESS for your needs, always consider your main criteria. Will it be used in a residential, commercial or industrial setting? What is your budget? Where will the energy be coming from? There are different types of technologies which all have pros and cons. In the domestic setting battery storage is the most practical and scalable form of ESS. On an industrial scale, pumped hydro storage may be the best option, for example, whereas a commercial set-up could choose to use a flywheel storage set-up. Balancing out the risks of each storage system, versus the necessary investment is also crucial to ensure that the best choice is made.
How to Install an Energy Storage System
If you are installing a residential ESS, then you will be looking at a storage battery to work with your solar panels. The battery can be fitted after the solar panels, or you can fit the entire system at the same time. Make sure you choose a trusted professional so that your system is correctly and optimally fitted. If you are installing an ESS on a commercial or industrial scale, be sure to check on the planning laws regarding this installation.
Choose a Duracell Energy Home Battery Storage System
ESS are crucial to increase the uptake of investment in renewable energy sources, such as solar power. If you are looking at solar panels for your home, then investing in a home battery is vital to ensure that energy generated throughout the day can be safely stored for you to use in the evening. Investing in ESS will help to reduce costs, and capitalise on all the benefits of renewable energy. Embrace a greener tomorrow, with Duracell Energy home batteries today. Simply use our online quote calculator to help you choose the best solar battery storage set-up for your home.