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As the world becomes more aware of the environmental impact caused by human factors, countries all over are switching to sustainable practices, one of them being clean energy generation. Since energy produced by fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are a huge contributor to carbon emissions, the plan is to phase it out completely in favour of renewable energy sources such as sunlight and air.
In a bit to achieve the UK’s net zero target by 2050, solar panels and wind turbines are becoming a common sight in residential as well as commercial properties. Solar panels harness the energy of the sun to produce clean energy while wind turbines use wind power to do the same.
Battery storage systems are playing a pivotal role in making the transition to renewable energy easier and fully utilising the energy produced by solar panels and wind turbines. Installing a battery storage system improves your use of renewable energy and offers numerous benefits in the form of reduced carbon footprint, less dependence on the grid, and long-term cost savings.
Read on to find out more about battery storage, how it works, the different options available, and why it is essential for homes and businesses:
Battery storage systems, also known as battery energy storage systems (BESS), are an essential technology used for storing energy produced from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. They play a huge role in speeding the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and can be used to fulfil the ever-increasing energy demand for home and commercial use.
Batteries enable energy storage that can be used for later use and have become an integral part of sustainable living. While solar and wind energy are incredible power sources that produce clean and green energy, the biggest drawback with them is that they can only produce energy when the sun is shining or when there is ample wind. No sun or wind means no energy generation, and that is where battery storage comes in.
These renewable energy sources are highly dependent on the weather with their efficiency decreasing on cloudy and rainy days for solar panels and the absence of wind for wind turbines. Battery storage is a key player in ensuring that homes and businesses with solar panels or wind turbines receive uninterrupted green energy, even at times when there is no sun or wind.
Battery storage systems are advanced systems that, when combined with renewable energy sources, can help overcome the inconsistencies of solar and wind power. They can store energy produced by these systems to make sure homes and commercial properties are supplied with a steady supply of electricity throughout the day and night.
Battery storage can also be used for storing electricity from the grid, such as during off-peak hours, to avail cheaper electricity that is more easily available. This stored energy can then be used later by property owners, such as during peak demand hours when the tariffs are the highest, and it can also be sent back to the grid.
Batteries are a common household item used to power things such as remotes, mobile phones, laptops, tablets, electric shavers and toothbrushes, toys, alarm clocks, and watches. These batteries work using the same concept as battery storage systems, although the latter are a bit more advanced.
Battery storage systems are technologically advanced energy storage systems that are charged by energy produced by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. There are several types and variations of battery storage systems, but all of them work in a similar straightforward way.
Fundamentally, all battery energy storage systems store electricity that they receive from the power grid, solar panels, or wind turbines in the form of chemical energy, which is then released as per the demand of the consumer in the form of electricity. The system manages two basic processes, charging and discharging, where the electrical energy is converted into chemical energy, and vice versa, all of which are managed by intelligent software harnessing AI and machine learning for more efficiency and control.
There are several components of a battery storage system which include:
All these components work together to create a sophisticated system for directing energy from renewable sources to the batteries for storage. Along with an advanced algorithm and intelligent controls, these systems provide an efficient energy storage solution that has several applications and can benefit home and business owners.
The intelligent software enables the system to coordinate energy production and determine when to store the excess energy, when to release it for use, and when to send it to the grid. Electricity from battery storage systems is released at times when renewable energy sources aren’t generating electricity or during times of peak demand to maintain a steady flow of electricity and to keep costs down.
There are several types of battery energy storage systems available, with the most notable difference being the type of chemicals they use. Battery storage plays a significant role in sustainable energy and development and is one of the fastest-growing technologies.
Some of the most common types of battery storage include lithium-ion batteries and lead-acid batteries, both of which are used mainly in domestic settings. Other types include flow batteries, Sodium-Sulfur batteries, Nickel-Cadmium batteries, Zinc-Bromine batteries, and solid-state batteries.
Here is an overview of some of the most common types of battery storage available in the UK:
Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most common types of batteries and have become a leading choice for several applications due to their efficiency, performance, and reliability.
Lithium-ion batteries are also known as rechargeable batteries and work by shifting lithium ions between a cathode and an anode during the charging and discharging cycles. Due to their high energy density, they are commonly used in electric vehicles (EVs) and are also used in different grid-scale energy storage.
The reason that lithium-ion batteries stand out from the rest and are a top choice for home energy storage is their versatility and continuous research and development. They allow storing large amounts of energy in a compact form which makes them ideal for applications where space is constricted.
These batteries also have a long cycle life that supports several thousand charging and discharging cycles. Their high efficiency of about 90-95% minimises energy loss and their low self-discharge rate enables them to retain power for longer periods of time and makes them highly reliable as long-term energy storage.
Despite their advanced technology and ongoing development, there are a few issues with using lithium-ion batteries, the biggest one being that they are extremely reactive, turning them into a fire hazard. This is particularly true for lithium-ion batteries that are damaged and may overheat. Many lithium batteries are sensitive to temperature and can react to both overly low as well as high temperatures.
In addition to that, the extraction of raw materials used in lithium-ion batteries poses a risk to the environment and leads to high water consumption, toxic waste pollution, and an adverse effect on natural landscapes and ecosystems. There is also the issue of safe disposal and recycling with there currently being no proper recycling process to recover the raw materials in an ideal manner.
Lead acid batteries are the oldest type of battery and have been used for decades in energy storage systems. They are the most used rechargeable batteries in the world and are known for their reliability and affordability. They are used in electric vehicles (EVs), backup power systems, and applications where budget is an issue.
They are less expensive than other battery options but have a low-energy-density and a shorter lifespan that ranges between 200 and 800 charge cycles. Despite this supposed drawback, they are highly popular and used in various applications due to their inexpensiveness. They are also sturdy and can offer high surge currents, making them suitable for applications that require immediate power.
Lead acid batteries are eco-friendly and have a proper recycling system where more than 90% of their raw materials are recovered. They are the most recycled batteries in the lot, with the average lead-acid battery made with more than 80% recycled materials.
Lead acid batteries are a great option for battery storage systems since they are cheaper, environmentally friendly, and recyclable. Also, none of their active components are flammable, making them a safer option than other batteries.
Although lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries rule the battery storage market, especially for residential energy storage solutions, there are a few other options available as well:
It takes a huge amount of energy to power a property, and the rising cost of energy is making it challenging for property owners to do so. Coupled with the environmental impact that the use of fossil fuels has, property owners are now making more mindful and responsible decisions when it comes to energy generation, storage, and use.
Battery storage is one of the fastest-growing technologies in the world due to the sheer level of benefits that it offers in terms of sustainability, efficiency, and cost-savings. Following are all the reasons why battery storage is essential for homes and businesses:
Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are intermittent by nature and can only be used in favourable conditions, such as when the sun is shining or when there is ample wind. With a battery energy storage system, the energy produced by the sun or wind can be stored and used when energy is not being generated. This enables home and business owners to use clean and green energy more efficiently and power their properties even when the solar panels or wind turbines are not making electricity.
Installing a battery storage system at your home or workplace is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint by harnessing and storing renewable energy. Excess energy produced by renewable energy sources that is not consumed can be stored in the batteries and used later. This can help switch completely from fossil fuels to renewable energy, reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, and play your part in being a responsible citizen by contributing to the UK’s target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Battery storage solutions allow home and business owners to be less dependent on the grid, which reduces the load on the grid to meet rising energy demands. While the National UK grid is reliable in terms of energy provision, there can be cases of power outages in certain areas due to equipment failure or natural disasters. Battery storage can work as a backup in such situations and provide uninterrupted power to ensure homes and businesses remain operational.
While battery storage systems do come with an upfront cost, they give an incredible return on investment (ROI) within a few years. This is all thanks to the cost savings home and business owners can do on their energy bills. Battery storage systems can store energy from the grid when costs are lower and use it when the costs are the highest during peak demand. They can also allow property owners to generate revenue by sending the excess stored energy back to the grid. In addition to all of this, a battery energy storage system adds value to your property and is a plus point if you wish to sell your home or office.
Battery storage systems have several applications in residential and commercial settings, one of which is their ability to charge electric vehicles (EVs). As the demand for EVs rises, so does the need for charging them. With battery storage, this additional demand can easily be supported, and any capacity issues can be avoided. Also, if you wish to charge your electric car using renewable energy, you can do so using battery storage and make substantial savings on your EV running costs while reducing your carbon footprint using 100% clean energy.
Calder Electrical Services provides a wide range of solutions to help you play your part in making the world a more sustainable place.
If you wish to have solar panels installed on your residential or commercial property, our experts can conduct a site visit to determine your requirements and propose the best type of solar system for your needs.
We also offer battery storage installation so that you can minimise any wastage of the energy you create. This will help lower your energy bills and make you more independent from the grid.
We have been providing electrical services to residential, commercial, and industrial properties for over 40 years and are specialists in all aspects of electrical installations, maintenance, and testing.
All our work is fully insured and meets the current regulations and standards set by the NICEIC. Also, all the notifiable work is signed off by the local authorities.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 3001 to get in touch with our professional electricians for more information on battery storage and why it is essential for homes and businesses.
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