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The adoption of renewable energy sources for energy generation continues to see a rise due to environmental concerns, climate change, and the limited availability of fossil fuel reserves. Slowly, but surely, property owners all over the country are switching to solar panels and wind turbines to fulfil their electricity demand.
This transition is also pushed forward by the UK’s target for net zero carbon emissions by 2050 which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere for a cleaner and greener world. Some key initiatives in this target include phasing out petrol and diesel cars for electric vehicles, enhancing energy efficiency in homes and businesses, and switching to renewable energy sources.
With this aim in mind, property owners are looking for ways to maximise energy generation and use the energy to increase efficiency and decrease costs. One of the best ways to do so is to install a battery storage system that stores excess energy from the grid or from solar panels and wind turbines to be used later, and in a more efficient manner.
Whether you are looking to increase the energy efficiency of your home or are looking to make sustainable changes to your business, battery storage systems are a great first step toward reaching your goals. Read on to find out all about battery storage systems, the top 5 benefits of installing a battery storage system on your property, and much more:
Battery storage systems, also called battery energy storage systems (BESS), are technologically advanced storage systems that store electricity from various sources and use it later when the need arises. Combined with renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines, battery storage systems are a centre point in sustainable development.
The batteries can store electricity when the supply is higher than the demand and stabilise the production and use of energy from renewable sources. Since energy generation from solar panels and wind turbines is dependent on the availability of ample sunlight and wind, they may not always work at maximum capacity.
For instance, solar panels do not work efficiently on rainy and cloudy days and produce no electricity after sundown. In the same way, wind turbines work at maximum capacity when the wind is blowing. On days that aren’t windy, the turbines may fail to meet demand. That is where battery storage systems come in. They store excess energy produced by renewable sources and release it when it is needed the most.
Battery storage systems can also store energy from the grid, such as when the demand is low, and use it later at peak demand hours. This not only lessens the pressure on the grid to meet rising demands but also leads to incredible cost savings for property owners. Battery storage also plays a crucial role during power outages and provides backup power to make sure your property continues to be powered by electricity.
Battery storage systems are made up of a few basic components that include a battery system, inverter, battery management system, environmental controls, sensors, alarms, and a fire suppressant system. All these components, along with an intelligent algorithm, provide an efficient energy storage solution that coordinates energy production and determines when to store excess energy and when to release it.
Some of the most common types of batteries are lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, and flow batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most common types of batteries for homes all over the world and have become a leading choice due to their efficiency, performance, and reliability.
Lead acid batteries are the oldest type of battery and the most used rechargeable batteries in the world. They are known for their reliability and affordability and are used in electric vehicles (EVs), backup power systems, and applications where cost is an issue. Flow batteries are rechargeable batteries that are easily scalable and a great solution for large-scale applications such as grid storage and solar and wind energy storage solutions.
Battery storage systems are becoming increasingly popular around the world due to their ability to efficiently store energy and help property owners cut costs and reduce their carbon footprint. They are incredibly useful for both homeowners as well as businesses and have several benefits of having them installed on your property:
One of the biggest benefits of installing battery storage systems in your property is their ability to make you energy independent, especially when they are combined with solar panels or wind turbines. By efficiently storing the energy produced by renewable sources and then using them when the need arises, property owners can rely less on the grid and, in some cases, may go completely off the grid.
Solar panels and wind turbines are excellent power sources that produce clean energy. While these systems allow property owners to generate their own electricity, their output and efficiency are linked to environmental factors, with the solar panels dependent on ample sunlight and the wind turbines on ample wind. By installing battery storage systems, property owners can store the excess energy produced at the highest efficiency times and then use it when the solar panels or wind turbines aren’t generating electricity to meet demand. Instead of having to rely on the grid to power their properties at such times, they can simply use the stored energy in the battery systems.
This level of energy independence gives property owners more control in terms of how and when they use the energy generated by their solar panels or wind turbines, how they can save money on their energy use, and peace of mind knowing that they can run their homes and businesses even at times when the renewable sources are not generating energy.
While battery storage systems do come at a price, they provide a quick return on investment with the cost savings that they provide. It is also important to note that with technological advancements in the field of energy storage and the increasing demand for battery storage systems, their prices will eventually fall with the most efficient system providing both energy and cost savings for property owners.
Battery storage systems can help you save on your electricity bills by drawing power from the grid during off-peak hours and then using it when the electricity rates are the highest, such as during the afternoon and evenings. This strategy is great at reducing your energy bills and can lead to substantial savings over time. You can take more control over your energy usage by using a smart monitoring system that helps you monitor your energy consumption and the energy being drawn from the grid or renewable sources.
When used with solar panels or wind turbines, you can optimise your energy consumption and lower electricity costs even further by minimising dependence on the grid, especially during solar and wind off hours.
Also, through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which the UK Government introduced in 2020, property owners can sell the excess stored solar or wind energy from their battery storage systems to the power grid to further offset their energy costs.
Using a battery storage system not only makes you energy-independent and helps lower costs but also helps property owners contribute positively to the environment. Combined with renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines, battery systems significantly reduce carbon emissions by storing and efficiently utilising clean and green energy.
As the country aims towards net zero in the near future, solar and wind battery systems installed in homes and businesses can enable better utilisation of clean energy and minimise the need for energy from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, all of which lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
BESSs allow property owners to store the excess energy that they are not consuming, which helps minimise energy wastage and fully utilise solar panels and wind turbines for energy generation. This helps make homes and businesses more sustainable and eco-friendlier, which is a very important step in minimising harmful fumes and emissions.
Properties can experience power outages for a number of reasons ranging from environmental factors to increased strain on the grid. With the results of climate change manifesting in the form of floods, hurricanes, storms, heat waves, and wildfires, power outages are becoming more common. Also, the increased demand for energy has put undue strain on the power grid, which may also lead to homes and businesses without power.
Since properties rely so heavily on electricity, power outages can be severely inconvenient and may lead to them being completely non-functional and non-operational. For businesses, power interruptions can lead to business downtime, which may in turn lead to monetary losses, productivity losses, damaged equipment, and data loss.
Battery storage systems offer property owners great respite by being used as emergency backup power, especially during such situations. They are a great alternative to traditional backup generators that use fossil fuels to generate electricity and can harness clean energy from renewable sources to be used during emergencies.
From keeping the lights on and powering essential devices and appliances, battery storage systems enable property owners to continue receiving uninterrupted electricity. The amount and time of backup power depends on the type and capacity of the battery, with bigger and more efficient battery systems being much more reliable.
Battery storage systems can be used as a backup power source, both with and without solar or wind. They can store excess energy from the grid as well as from renewable sources to be used later. The difference is that by combining battery systems with renewable sources, property owners can make sure that even their backup power is clean and green instead of being generated using polluting fossil fuels.
Battery storage systems provide numerous benefits to property owners. From cost savings to backup power, less dependence on the grid, and environment-friendliness, they are becoming more popular with each passing day. Slowly, but surely, property owners all over the UK are shifting to renewable energy, and to maximise efficiency from these systems, they are installing battery storage systems.
All these benefits make battery storage systems a lucrative asset to have on the property and have a positive effect on the property’s value. As more property owners are looking for and investing in energy-efficient solutions, having a battery storage system installed in your home or business can boost its value in the real estate market.
Battery storage systems, combined with solar panels or wind turbines, are highly sought-after due to their great potential for cost savings as well as energy independence. Having them on your property increases its saleability and is seen as a huge plus point. Buying a property with a battery storage system already installed saves the buyers their upfront cost as it’s mostly adjusted into the purchase price.
Battery storage system installation is a professional service that is carried out by experts in the field. The process is generally straightforward and includes a few key steps to make sure the system works efficiently and can integrate seamlessly with your solar panels/wind turbines.
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 the benefits of installing a battery storage system on your property.
Photo by James Feaver on Unsplash
