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With energy prices skyrocketing over the years, energy independence and reduced reliance on the grid have never seemed so appealing. Dependence on the grid is a huge challenge for residential, commercial, and industrial properties that want to increase energy efficiency and reduce costs.
In the quest to achieve energy independence, many property owners have installed solar panels in their homes and businesses. This not only helps them cut down costs in the long run but is also incredibly beneficial for the environment. Solar energy is renewable and results in a lower carbon footprint compared to energy generated using fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas.
While renewable energy sources are incredible at providing clean and sustainable energy, their biggest challenge lies in their intermittent nature. They can only function if the weather conditions are favourable. For instance, solar panels need ample sunlight to produce electricity while wind turbines require ample wind. This leaves users dependent on the grid when the solar panels or wind turbines aren’t generating electricity.
This is where battery storage systems come in.
Battery storage systems work by storing excess energy from solar panels or wind turbines when supply is high, such as during sunny days or peak afternoon, or when then is enough wind, and using it when the need arises, such as after sundown, or during cloudy or rainy days.
Read on to find out more about energy independence, the importance of being energy independent, and the role of battery storage systems in reducing reliance on the grid:
The grid is a complex network of electrical equipment responsible for electricity generation, transmission, and delivery to homes, businesses, and industries all over the country. It consists of power plants, transmission lines, and other electrical infrastructure to make this possible.
Users are dependent on the grid for their energy needs to power their properties. They pay money to the grid to use the energy being generated and delivered by it, and different energy providers have different tariffs for electricity.
The main responsibility of the grid is to ensure that the electricity supplied meets the demands of the users. While most of the time this is made possible, the grid can be highly unreliable in certain circumstances such as during very high demand, equipment failure, extreme weather conditions, and natural disasters.
This can result in unexpected power outages that can be incredibly inconvenient for homeowners and businesses. This issue, along with the ever-increasing tariffs on electricity, has led property owners all over the country to go energy-independent.
Now, what exactly is energy independence? In simple terms, being energy-independent means not relying on any external sources such as the grid to provide you with electricity. While it is possible to be 100% energy independent, in most cases it means being energy independent to a certain extent and simply ‘reducing’ their reliance on the grid.
The biggest benefits of going energy-independent and reducing your reliance on the grid are cost savings, increased reliability, not worrying about utility companies increasing their tariffs, and a reduced carbon footprint (in the case of renewable energy). Whatever your goal is – complete or partial energy independence – renewable energy sources and battery storage systems play a crucial role in helping you achieve it.
When homes and businesses become energy independent, it means investing in renewable energy sources which can help immensely in reducing pollution and releasing harmful toxins in the air. By doing so, you can play your part in the UK’s target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and contribute to a cleaner, healthier, and greener planet for yourself and future generations.
Energy independence seems like something achievable only in one’s imagination. The truth is that it is much simpler than it seems. It is possible to turn a property completely self-sufficient in just a few steps:
The first step towards achieving energy independence is to assess your current energy consumption and needs. This will give you a better understanding of how much energy you receive and how much you are consuming on a daily basis. In addition to highlighting your property’s energy consumption, an energy audit will also identify areas of improvement that will make your property more energy efficient.
Investing in renewable energy sources such as solar power or wind energy enables you to generate your own energy. This results not only in incredible cost savings and energy efficiency but is also great for reducing carbon emissions since the energy produced is clean. It allows you to power your property with energy generated by renewables and gives you greater energy independence, especially when combined with a battery storage system.
To maximise the potential of your renewable energy sources and to use them to the fullest, invest in battery storage systems that allow you to store excess energy and use it later when needed. This way, you can store the excess energy produced by your solar panels or wind turbines when they are working at full capacity and use the stored energy at times when they are unable to do so, such as in the absence of sunlight or wind. This allows you to not rely on the grid for power during such times as you can simply use the stored energy in the battery systems.
To reduce reliance on the grid and to be energy independent, you must make your property more energy efficient and focus on reducing your energy consumption wherever possible. One way to do this is to invest in energy-efficient appliances and equipment that consume less energy. Some great practices include upgrading to LED lighting, investing in lower energy-consuming kitchen appliances, replacing outdated fittings, installing light timers and sensors, and conducting regular testing and maintenance of your electrical installations.
Battery storage systems are advanced systems used for storing energy and using it when it is needed. When combined with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, they play a big role in the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. They help overcome the inconsistencies of solar and wind power and are a key player in fulfilling the ever-increasing energy demand for home and commercial use.
Battery storage systems are a key component in terms of energy independence and reducing reliance on the grid. They work by charging during off-peak hours and can be used as a backup power source when the grid is unable to meet demand.
This way, in case you are hit with an unexpected power outage, you will already have energy stored in the battery system for powering your property instead of having to rely on backup generators that use petrol to run. This way, not only can you get a continuous power supply to power your property, but without damaging the environment. This ensures reliability, comfort, and peace of mind during emergencies.
Also, unlike solar and wind power, battery storage systems are not reliant on the weather or such factors to store energy. They can work round the clock and efficiently store energy. The only catch is that they need to be used, managed, and maintained properly to ensure they work at their full potential and provide all the benefits that they ought to provide.
While renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are incredible investments that help generate clean and virtually free energy for homes and businesses, the biggest issue with them is their intermittency. By supporting these energy systems, battery storage can maximise their use and potential and reduce dependence on the grid.
You can reduce your energy costs by storing electricity from the grid during off-peak hours when the rates are much lower and using it during peak hours. This allows you more control over your energy bills and saves you from paying increased energy rates to the grid.
Last, but not least, with solar/wind power, you can use net metering via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) to send the excess energy back to the grid to earn extra money at a certain rate per unit of electricity. This can help offset the costs related to generating energy using the solar panels/wind turbines installed on your property.
Having a battery storage system gives you more control and freedom over how you use the electricity you generate using your renewable energy system instead of relying on the grid for all your energy needs. In the bid to become more energy-independent and reduce your reliance on the grid, investing in a battery storage system along with solar panels/wind turbines is a smart step that offers several benefits, and is one that you should certainly consider.
When investing in a battery storage system, it is very important to choose the right type of system if you wish to enjoy all its benefits. If energy independence is your goal, you must invest in a battery storage system that can fulfil all your energy requirements and is best suited for your energy needs.
Here are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing a battery storage system for your property:
Batteries for energy storage systems come in a variety of types. Some of the most common ones 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.
When choosing the right type of battery storage, you need to start by assessing your energy needs and pay close attention to key characteristics of the battery system that determine the amount of energy stored in them and their performance.
The capacity of a battery storage system determines the amount of energy the battery can store and is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). It is a key factor to consider when choosing a battery storage system for energy independence since it will determine how much you can rely on the battery system in time of need.
A system with less capacity that cannot store enough electricity required for your needs will have you relying on the grid, which is something that you would want to minimise. Similarly, a system with a bigger energy capacity than your needs will offer a much slower return on investment (ROI).
A battery’s charging speed refers to the total time it takes to fully recharge the battery after use. Different batteries have different charging speeds, and you must get one that meets your needs.
If your energy consumption is high, you will need to recharge your battery more often. If that is the case, a fast-charging battery system would suit you best, especially if you wish to gain energy independence. A slow-charging battery would take too long to charge and would not be as effective and efficient.
Safety is another very important factor to consider when choosing a battery storage system since some batteries are safer than others, especially in terms of overheating. Consider investing in systems with safety features such as overcharge protection, short-circuit prevention, temperature regulation, and fire safety.
Also, keep in mind the environmental impact of battery systems and go for options with minimal hazardous emissions and a proper recycling system to reduce carbon emissions during energy production as well as during usage.
Last, but certainly not least, if you wish to integrate your battery storage system into your current PV (photovoltaic) panels or wind installation, make sure it is compatible with both the energy system as well as the inverter. A few key factors to keep in mind include the voltage of the systems, the power output, the inverter type, the charge controller type, and battery chemistry.
To gain energy independence and reduce reliance on the grid, you must use your renewable energy system along with a reliable battery storage system that you can depend on for your energy needs. Make sure to have both systems installed by a professional to ensure maximum performance, efficiency, and safety.
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 energy independence and how battery storage systems can reduce your reliance on the grid.
Photo by Kumpan Electric on Unsplash
