Parkinson-Spencer Refractories
Parkinson Spencer Refractories achieved protection from Power Disruptions, a 5% reduction in Energy Costs and extra revenue through GridBeyond with a BESS
Battery Energy Storage
What is Battery Energy Storage
Battery Energy Storage, also known as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), are highly adaptable and flexible devices that allow energy storage for use when needed later & provide a power resilience solution for businesses that have power issues. Battery Storage can be utilised to save businesses money and it could provide you with a competitive advantage.
The increase in renewable on-site generation and the focus on achieving net zero carbon make containerised Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) an essential technology for all commercial and industrial organisations, providing a vital element in the transition from fossil fuels to green energy and your journey towards net zero.
How can battery energy storage Systems help you?
A battery energy storage system allows for greater control and flexibility of your electricity use. A Powerstar system is a particularly sophisticated version of the technology as it is capable of being installed “Behind-the-Meter”, that is to say on your own site, and can be used for a variety of functions in parallel, such as:
- Power resilience through Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
- Saving money by shifting when you use energy from the grid through Peak shaving and load shifting
- Buffering large loads, such as Electric Vehicle (EV) charging, from the grid so that they can be more easily and cheaply connected, and combining all of these to turn your site into a smart microgrid
- Maximising on-site generation, by storing energy for use at different times
- Accessing grid services to sell electricity back to the National Grid and generate revenue
Powerstar’s Battery energy storage technology is most impressive where it is deployed to manage a combination of these activities simultaneously. If your only need is a battery for accessing Grid Service contracts, or storing solar energy, then Powerstar may not be the right option for you.
If this is something we can help your business with then please contact us and let our team help you.
How does battery energy storage work?
In simple terms, a battery energy storage solution works by storing electricity so it can be used when required or most beneficial. When deployed with sophisticated control software, this can be automated and use artificial intelligence to learn what generation and use needs to be prioritised.
Whilst the applications of grid-scale battery energy storage are widely discussed, it can provide significant benefits when implemented commercially, Behind-the-Meter (BtM). It can be deployed for a business in this way, but still remains connected to the electricity grid. This provides an integrated energy management and microgrid solution capable of revolutionising the way your organisation uses energy. Powerstar Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) usually come neatly packaged in a container including all the necessary systems so we won’t need to take up a huge amount of space inside your building.
Battery energy storage can support your entire site should you experience a power disruption.
For Large scale deployments, we use a Containerised Battery Energy Storage system which is manufactured in a Shipping container at our site and transported to your organisation in one piece. A key benefit for a containerised battery system is that access can be restricted to the container and it doesn’t take up space inside your premises.
For more technical information about battery energy storage view our technical specifications below.
How to implement a battery energy storage system
In its simplest form, a battery storage system can be installed on your site as a standalone technology. The most common application is to store energy generated by solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, for use at times when they are not generating.
However, when implemented with multiple technologies, battery energy storage can maximise the effectiveness of on-site generation while also bolstering EV charging capabilities, accessing grid services to generate revenue, improving energy efficiency, and helping to reduce your electricity bills. This requires a microgrid control system to manage the various power flows.
If your business is assessing its net zero carbon targets, battery energy storage with an integrated microgrid control system will sit at the heart of your technology mix to transform your site into a smart microgrid.
We’ve put together a handy Powerstar Battery Energy Storage pdf including how the technology works, how much you could save
How are Powerstar Battery Energy Storage Systems helping the NHS?
Hospitals and Critical care facilities literally have a life and death need for an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS). Furthermore, providers are faced with some of the strictest carbon reduction requirements of any sector, while stretched budgets mean that securing energy cost savings is also a priority. Battery Energy Storage can help hospitals in a number of ways.
We are the only Battery Energy Storage company to achieve HTM (Health Technical Memoranda) compliance for NHS installations & the only company to install a Battery Energy Storage System and UPS system for the NHS to date.
Which sectors benefit most from battery energy storage?
Battery energy storage can make sense for any electricity user, even domestic. However, the business case becomes clearer as the site becomes larger and the electricity demand increases. Wherever there are multiple power flows it is always worth considering a storage system.
Sectors with high electricity consumption, a requirement for power resilience, with on-site generation, complex or sensitive business operations, and a need for flexibility in their energy use will benefit from this technology. For that reason, battery energy storage can be an immensely powerful tool for businesses in manufacturing, healthcare, retail distribution, defence and warehousing.
What is Commercial containerised Battery Storage?
Commercial battery storage is usually a large-scale battery aimed at businesses and organisations to make the best use of their energy usage. These batteries with can be fitted inside your premises or within a container outside can be charged from your onsite generation, such as Solar PV, or from the grid at times of low-cost energy.
This has several benefits which include:
- Store excess generated energy from onsite wind or solar for later usage or selling back to the grid with a grid service contract. This is known as Renewable Firming.
- Provide power resilience and UPS capabilities in the even of a blackout or brownout.
- Generate revenue by charging with low-cost energy and sell back to the grid during peak pricing hours.
- Lower your energy costs by using the stored energy at peak times by utilising Peak shaving and load shifting.
- Avoid TRIAD charges by lowering your demand for grid energy at peak times.
Why Microgrids need Battery Energy Storage
A Battery energy Storage System (BESS) is a key component of a microgrid, they help to improve the reliability and resilience of the local energy system while also integrating on-wite renewable energy sources and helping to reduce costs. Microgrids are local energy systems that can operate independently from the larger grid and incorporate various distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar panels, wind turbines, Combined Heat and Power (CHP), and generators.
Microgrids come in many shapes sizes and configurations, and almost all of them benefit from Battery storage being included in the project. Batteries can be used in microgrids to store excess energy generated by the on-site generation or from the grid during periods of low demand, and then discharge that energy when demand is higher. This helps to ensure a stable and reliable power supply within the microgrid. Powerstar BESS can also provide backup power during a grid outage, through UPS functionality, ensuring that critical facilities such as hospitals or emergency shelters remain powered.
Powerstar are a technical solutions provider that specialise in solving complex power management problems for our customers. If you are looking for a battery energy storage system to generate revenue from grid services, without the need for the wider energy management options that a battery can provide, we may not offer the right solution for you.
For more information about Battery Energy Storage and how it could revolutionise your organisation’s energy use
Related case studies
NHS: Rotherham General Hospital
Powerstar were engaged to replace a large hospital’s existing Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system with a more efficient, intelligent Battery Energy Storage (BESS) alternative.
South Staffordshire Council
South Staffordshire Council were looking to install a battery energy storage system that provided them with site-wide UPS resilience
Stoba Prazisionstechnik UK Ltd
Stoba is a mass manufacturer and supplier of metallic parts and high quality components to the automotive industry that operates internationally.
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