Energy independence: Unboxing Battery Energy Storage Systems
BESS is a crucial technology in the future energy space, with potential to power homes, businesses and infrastructure without a grid connection, and help stabilise renewable networks. We turn to Canadian pioneers TROES to understand more about this vital element in the net zero journey.
Off-grid projects with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are revolutionising the energy landscape, providing reliable power solutions in remote locations while promoting sustainability. Off-grid BESS technology is beginning to grow in demand, as it offers a plethora of benefits to customers seeking energy independence through its role in managing power supply and demand.
In remote locations with limited grid access, maintaining a stable power output becomes challenging due to the unpredictable nature of renewable energy generation. This is where the BESS shines, effectively managing energy supply and demand. BESS solutions help to ensure reliable and stable power output, and play a crucial role in maintaining the flow of energy in off-grid applications.
There are several BESS centered applications for remote areas, and these could be split into pure off-grid and on-and-off grid situations. If the area has no grid coverage at all, we use the BESS in a pure off-grid situation, and there are two main solutions for this scenario.
The first is to optimise the efficiency of traditional power generators. For example, diesel generators have relatively low efficiency, typically ranging from 30% to 40%, and can even reach around 10% under partial load. By combining BESS with traditional generators, the generators can run at the best point of power performance while charging the batteries, to improve their efficiency. When full capacity output is not needed, BESS can take over the power supply, avoiding the inefficient operation of the generators at low loads, thus saving energy and reducing carbon emissions.
The second scenario would be integrating BESS with renewable energy generation and diesel generators as backup. In areas that are abundant in renewable energy sources like solar and wind, BESS can be combined with renewable energy generation to prioritise the use of renewable energy. Excess power can be used to charge the BESS, with diesel generators serving as backup sources to be used when the combination of BESS plus renewable energy is insufficient or during emergencies.
In some regions, traditional generators may not even factor. If there is grid coverage but this is unstable, the above two solutions can serve as supplements to the grid or complete replacements. When used as grid supplements, the grid’s output remains the main power source, making it an on-and-off grid application.
Successful off-grid BESS technology optimises fuel consumption and maintenance, seamlessly integrating renewable energy sources for uninterrupted, quiet, and cost-effective electricity year-round. It is essential to consider factors like energy management, system sizing, the state-of-charge (SoC), fault detection, and monitoring aspects to ensure the proper maintenance and care of an off-grid operation.
Due to the advanced power electronics embarked on the PCS (Power Conversion System) construction, the BESS is very helpful to correct the power factor of the circuit, with this feature being used in on-grid application and isolated systems. Another advanced feature of the BESS is the fast response when the system has spinning machines as generators. The BESS is ready to respond when there is a ‘step’ variation in load, correcting the frequency and/or voltage level of the circuit in a fraction of second.
TROES is an energy storage company that specialises in off-grid technology centered around battery energy storage systems. They provide comprehensive solutions with safety certifications and optimization processes for customers. TROES has successfully completed various off-grid projects in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean, incorporating a range of key technologies. These technologies include propane operation optimisation integrated with diesel, BESS and solar operations, hydrogen fuel cell optimisation integrated with BESS, and more.
Developed by utilising optimised operation algorithms to minimise fuel consumption, balancing battery system longevity and efficiency while reducing fuel and maintenance costs, generator back-feed prevention technology, autonomous operation software, unmanned monitoring, and automatic operation, the technology developed by TROES remains cutting-edge and innovative.
By efficiently managing energy supply and demand, preserving battery life, and enhancing user experience, TROES offers reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly off-grid microgrid solutions. As the demand for energy independence continues to soar, companies like TROES lead the way in delivering advanced technology that optimises power generation, reduces costs, and promotes sustainability. Embracing off-grid BESS technology unlocks the potential of remote locations, fostering resilience and paving the way towards a cleaner energy future.
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All images: TROES