Why Energy Storage is Important
Efficient energy storage is an absolute necessity with the adoption of any type of renewable energy, especially in off-grid applications. For on-grid applications, energy storage serves several purposes.
In the event of a brownout or blackout, stored energy may be used to provide power during the event. How much power and for how long depends on the nature of the electrical usage of the building or facility, as well as the capacity of the battery array. A battery array may be connected to circuits for certain critical components such as refrigeration, lighting, or climate control.
Additionally, since wind and solar power are intermittent energy sources, batteries may provide additional power when those sources are unavailable. A common use for this is known as peak shaving. Batteries may be charged during optimal periods of day by photovoltaic panels, and may also be charged by wind turbines at any time of day or night.
If the stored energy is used during peak usage hours for a specific facility, this can substantially lower a facility’s utility cost in areas where the electric rate is higher during peak usage times. This also alleviates stress on the electrical grid.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
While advances have been made in lithium ion batteries, the cost is still very high and it is expected to remain so for some time. A primary benefit of lithium ion batteries is the energy density, charge cycles, and longevity are higher than that of most batteries,
lithium ion batteries are most commonly used for mobile applications such as portable devices and of course Electric Vehicles due to their lighter weight.
Lead-Acid Batteries
For stationary applications, such as energy storage for wind or solar renewable energy resources, a more cost-effective solution is the common lead-acid type batteries, since the power density to weight ratio is not a prime factor.
Several advancements have been made in lead/acid type batteries in recent years, including Dry Cell and AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat), which afford less maintenance and a longer life cycle.
Additional Benefits
Electrical components for battery charging applications are widely available, and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar can share the same battery banks, and release energy into the grid at the time when it is needed.
We can provide battery storage solutions for any new or existing renewable energy deployment.