Battery Energy Storage Systems (commonly referred to as BESS) are an emerging technology, projected to skyrocket in the next decade. Aldridge strives to remain at the forefront of the latest innovations and to assist our clients in integrating these innovations into their new and current systems.
Why is this new energy storage important to you? Here are a few reasons why utilities are taking a serious look at BESS as an option for their current and future power needs:
With changing and increasingly challenging power needs, utilities need to find affordable, dependable, and safe solutions to maintain reliability and to accommodate disparate and dynamic supply and load points.
Energy Storage can facilitate addition of emission-free alternatives such as wind and solar. As existing plants age and more government regulations are pushing for the integration of renewable energies, technologies enabling zero emission play a larger role in the industry.
Battery Energy Storage Systems address the indeterminacy challenges associated with intermittent renewable energy resources through energy storage when additional energy is available or deliverable and discharge during low generation or peak load situations or when system conditions mean that additional energy is needed at the location of the BESS.
Substation overload is being forecasted in the very near future for substations across the country. BESS can potentially defer substation upgrades by reducing peak loads.
Implementation of a Battery Energy Storage System can allow utilities to defer costly traditional transmission and distribution infrastructure expenses.
Due to the continuously growing use of batteries in consumer electronics and a multitude of other applications throughout the last several decades, research and manufacturing efficiencies have created rapidly decreasing costs for the battery technologies which then can be translated into larger scale grid applications.
Storage is more modular and potentially relocatable, minimizing the risk of overbuilding and stranded investments. Utilities are able to adapt to uncertain needs at the circuit level.
The use of battery technology allows utilities to reduce the impact of power outages in residential areas which experience service interruptions, including areas prone to severe weather.
As the power sector is looking to make the move away from traditional fossil-energy-based power systems, towards renewable-energy options, and is addressing increasing sophisticated delivery system issues, you will hear more about BESS and see them implemented across the country.
ComEd, one of our long-term utility clients, is actively engaging this new technology.
Through a contract with Tesla, Aldridge is currently installing a BESS system, in a ComEd facility near our Libertyville, IL headquarters. This initial installation includes 20 Tesla Powerpacks (each with 16 individual battery pods), 4 inverters, and ancillary equipment including a controller, transformer, and switchboard.
This project supports the development of best practices for the safe implementation and deployment of BESS at substation locations.
Interested in learning if a Battery Energy Storage System would be the right fit for your power application? Contact us today to learn more.