Energy storage systems capture surplus energy during times of high production/low demand and store it for use during times of low production/high demand. While not a new technology, energy storage is rapidly gaining traction as a way to provide a stable and consistent supply of renewable energy to the grid.
What is a BESS and what are its key characteristics?
Largely, BESS systems use lithium-ion batteries to store electricity. They can be used either as stand-alone or coupled with renewable energy sources.
Main characteristics used by the industry and which vary with different BESS chemistries are:
Rated Power Capacity
Rated Energy Capacity
Depth of Discharge (DOD)
Storage Duration
Cycle Life
State of Charge (SOC)
Round-Trip Efficiency
System Life
Safety Monitoring and Control