Commercial Battery Storage for Solar
When it comes to solar energy, one of the most important considerations is battery storage. Without battery storage, solar energy is only as useful as the amount of sunlight available.
What is a commercial battery storage system?
At their most basic level, commercial battery storage systems store large amounts of electrical energy for later use. Energy from renewable sources such as solar is stored in batteries that can be used to generate electricity when needed.
At a more sophisticated level, commercial battery storage systems can be configured to improve site electrical power quality, act as a site UPS, receive grid system services revenues and manage site MIC/MEC. The results are increased revenue, greater grid stability and lower carbon emissions.
As commercial battery storage systems are designed to store large amounts of energy at one time, they can be used as a backup source of energy when needed. In addition, these systems can be used to smooth out fluctuations in supply and demand.
A battery storage system also enables renewable energy to be sent to the grid. Because of this efficient energy management supply to the grid, renewable energy projects can produce power during both peak and non-peak hours, thereby sustaining the network infrastructure. This reduces environmental impact while lowering energy costs.
Commercial battery storage systems have been used for years by utilities to store energy from renewable sources like wind and solar. They provide an alternative to grid electricity when there is excess solar or wind power available. They also help reduce the cost of electricity during peak demand times. Learn everything you need to know about solar farms here.
Battery Storage for Commercial Solar
CoolPlanet Battery Storage allows you to save energy generated by your solar array for later use. You can also use battery storage to reduce expensive day rate electricity by charging the battery at night and discharging the energy by day. CoolPlanetOS, our energy management tool, can forecast the best times to store and release energy, allowing you to save money and reduce demand charges on your utility bills.
How do Battery Storage Systems Operate?
- During the day, renewable green energy is used to charge the battery storage system.
- Solar production, consumption history, utility price levels, and weather patterns are all factors that smart battery software considers when determining when to utilise the stored energy.
- During periods of high utilisation, energy is released from the battery storage system, saving and removing expensive demand charges
Benefits of Battery Storage for Commercial Solar
Site supply back-up/UPS: Your company will be protected from power outages, as your battery storage system can continue to supply the site.
Improved energy resilience: Batteries can be set to automatically provide the site (or parts of it) with a reliable supply during electrical interruptions. No diesel emissions or related refills are required as the site will recharge when the power supply returns.
Lower Carbon Emissions: Batteries allow your site to maximise your use of renewables, leading to lower emissions related to your site. On overcast days when your solar system doesn’t produce as much power as you need, you can pull from the battery storage system instead of the grid.
Electricity price arbitrage/Reduced energy costs: Batteries can be used to store power in off peak times when electricity is cheaper. The power can then be used during peak times when electricity is more expensive. Wholesale electricity prices are generally 200% more expensive at the evening peak versus the night rate. Reduce your use of expensive day rate electricity by charging the battery at night, and releasing the energy at high-price periods (day time).
Maximise use of renewables: By using battery storage systems in conjunction with solar, you can ensure any surplus energy produced does not go to waste.
Improved Power Quality: When grid connected, battery storage systems can provide ancillary services to improve power quality such as voltage and frequency regulation. Stabilise your electric grid and reduce severity of transient voltage drops using battery current injection. The battery control system (FREQCON) can be set to respond to voltage drops by injecting virtual current into the circuit, reducing the observed voltage drop.
Improved Financial Performance: By utilising your battery during times of peak demand on the country’s grid, you can earn significant financial rewards through Demand Side Response. Eirgrid/SONI pay significant revenues to industrial sites that have batteries as they help them manage the grid during times of frequency deviations. These revenues generally fund the capital costs of the battery.
MIC/MEC Management: The battery control system can be set to automatically respond to MIC/MEC limits and begin to charge/discharge to ensure that they are not exceeded. Set controls for Maximum Input Capacity or Maximum Export Capacity. The control system will respond and battery will begin importing/exporting as appropriate. The savings this offers can be very significant in avoiding charges and fees.
Solar Batteries: How Long Do They Last?
The endurance of a solar battery is typically between 5 and 15 years. However, regular maintenance can have a significant impact on the lifespan of your solar battery. Temperature has a big impact on solar batteries, therefore shielding your battery from severe temperatures can prolong its life.
How does Battery Storage Affect Peak Shaving
Peak shaving is a simple concept. You can avoid paying expensive utility power costs by using on-site storage to level out the dips and peaks.
You charge your batteries whenever electricity rates are at their lowest (i.e. during off-peak hours or with your free renewable energy) and then discharge them to avoid paying peak pricing during the most high - priced times of the day, using on-site storage instead.
This method helps in saving money while keeping your business running smoothly. When it comes to peak shaving, you only pay for the lowest options. On-site batteries, in effect, let you smooth out the sharp fluctuations in your energy expenditure so you can save as much as possible on your overall spend .
Your power system may actively regulate charging and discharging without any direct involvement from you with the right administration and planning. It can do so in real time, this is beneficial to the customer given the pricing changes in response to the rising costs of energy.
How can CoolPlanet help you?
CoolPlanet’s battery storage solutions enable energy from renewables, such as solar and wind, to be stored for use at a later time. Don’t have any renewable energy on site? Not a problem. Reduce your use of expensive day rate electricity by charging the battery at night and discharging the energy by day.
CoolPlanet can assist your site to benefit from battery storage, bringing you from the design phase right through to installation and grid integration, with financing options included.
We provide solutions that are tailored to your business's needs and budget, concentrating on cost-effective ways to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.
Our engineering and process team can assist you in identifying and implementing the best battery storage solution for your business. Schedule a call with one of our energy experts today to discuss more.