Battery Energy Storage Specialists in the UK Market
Battery energy storage is a term that you may have come across in your search for a long-term, sustainable energy solution for your home or business. But what is a battery energy storage system?
Simply, it is a sustainable solution that enables you to harness and store a renewable source of energy for when you need it most.
At AceOn, we have been leading the way for the implementation of battery energy storage systems in the UK over the past decade – read on to find out more about what these systems are, how they work, and how you can implement one at home or work.
Our Services →What is a Battery Energy Storage System?
A battery energy storage system (sometimes simply referred to as a BESS), is a solution that provides you with the opportunity to harness and store renewable energy.
BESS is technologically advanced and has several components, but at its heart is a system of batteries that are capable of storing renewable energy. This storage component enables users to tap into this renewable energy later, often when it's not possible to generate more renewable energy.
The most obvious example of this is a solar system that cannot generate power during the night. A solar BESS draws UV energy during the day and stores it in the batteries for use throughout the night. This provides the user with round-the-clock renewable energy.
Now you understand what a BESS is, let's take a closer look at how this system works when it's integrated as part of a renewable energy strategy.
How Does Battery Energy Storage Work?
There are several components to a battery energy storage system, but it's easy enough to understand how this technology works. First, the system requires a source of power, which is usually solar panels in most applications.
The system draws renewable energy from the solar panels and stores it within the batteries for later use.
At the centre of any BESS application is intelligent software that is responsible for harnessing, storing, and then distributing the energy stored within the BESS.
However, at the point of use, a BESS couldn't be easier to use. In fact, once installed, it is extremely low maintenance and can even be controlled externally.
Key BESS Applications
Further to understanding how a battery energy storage system works is looking at its most common applications. BESS can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings for a range of reasons. Some of the most common applications of BESS include:
Peak Shaving
Manage energy demand & avoid consumption spikes
Peak shaving is a way for businesses to manage energy demand to avoid sudden spikes in consumption that can lead to energy supply issues and increased costs. The software within a BESS can be optimised to ensure that it provides power at specific times of the day to help with peak shaving. Learn more about Peak Shaving in our recent blog post that details the role that BESS can play in a business.
Load Shifting
Switch between Grid & BESS for cost efficiency
In some respects, load shifting is similar to peak shaving. Many businesses that we work with use BESS in addition to their reliance on the National Grid. Therefore, load shifting is the process of switching from the Grid to the BESS at a time when it is cost-efficient to do so. This is what delivers exceptional long-term cost savings.
Microgrids
Complete grid independence with renewable sources
Microgrids are becoming more and more popular in the UK and are a great solution for businesses. They essentially enable consumers to disconnect from the National Grid, as they provide a business with the entirety of its power supply from renewable sources. At AceOn, we are one of the UK leaders in Microgrid technology and application. Check out our dedicated Microgrids page for more details about what they are and how they work. You can also read up on our blog post that explains the role of Microgrids in battery energy storage.
Integration & Flexibility
Integrated solutions & backup power
Many customers opt for BESS as an integrated renewable energy solution, rather than an isolated approach. In other words, people want to use a BESS alongside their supply from the National Grid. This is one of the best ways to increase energy resilience, as battery energy storage provides a backup when there are power outages or load issues on the Grid.
The Benefits of Battery Energy Storage
We've touched on them already, but there are numerous obvious benefits to battery energy storage that make this technology so compelling to users:
Grid Independence
One of the biggest benefits of battery energy storage is that it provides independence from the Grid. At the very least, it decreases dependency and means that you have an alternative source of energy should the Grid suffer a blackout. This is hugely beneficial to businesses, in particular, that would lose money should the Grid go down.
Grid independence is also advantageous given the soaring costs of energy right now in the UK and further afield, due to events in the Ukraine and Russia. Knowing that you have an alternative to the energy provided by the National Grid provides peace of mind in the short, medium, and long term.
Environmental Gains
The UK government has instituted an aggressive and ambitious Net Zero Program, of which green energy is crucial. Specifically, the government aims to be Net Zero by 2050. At AceOn, we know that battery energy storage will play a crucial role in moving away from fossil fuels over the course of the next thirty years, and we're excited by this fact.
The more homes and businesses that turn to BESS, the less we need to collectively rely on fossil fuels for our energy generation and consumption.
UK Net Zero Target Date
Lower Long-Term Energy Costs
While the initial costs of installing a BESS can seem high to some, the long-term cost-savings are clear. At the household level, a report from Solar Energy UK found that the average UK home could save around £40,000 by installing Solar PV and using BESS, while the cost-savings to commercial entities are likely to be even higher.
Average UK household savings potential
The cost-savings are likely to be even more pronounced should the global instability surrounding energy supply continue into the near future.
Resilience
Resilience in battery energy storage refers to the fact that a BESS enables you to have more than one source of power. Take a Microgrid, for example. Some users opt for more than one source of renewable power within the grid itself, perhaps wind and solar, for example. Then, they still have their backup connection to the National Grid.
This provides people with increased energy resilience in the face of changing weather and global instability, which is one of the main benefits of battery energy storage.
Renewable Energy & BESS: The Future?
At AceOn, we have no doubt that BESS will play a critical role in the harnessing of renewable energy in the UK and further afield. We have already seen momentous changes in terms of the capacity of BESS, as well as its implementation and application.
Currently, a battery energy storage system is particularly impactful when it is combined with a Solar PV system. This is because solar mitigates the intermittent nature of renewable energy and provides a steady supply of electricity.
How It All Works Together
What's more, battery systems come with an in-built inverter, which allows for the seamless transfer of DC to AC, which is required to run most applications in the UK.
Our Recommendation
As such, if you're keen to harness the potential of BESS at your home or business, opting for solar panels and a capable inverter is the simplest solution available to you, and the one that we would recommend to get you started.
Reach Out for More Information About Battery Energy Storage Systems in the UK
AceOn has been championing battery energy storage systems for more than ten years, and our team is at the forefront of development and BESS implementation in the United Kingdom.
About AceOn Group
We have offices in Telford and Solihull and partner with several leading innovators in the renewable energy sector to deliver projects within housing associations, government departments, and large-scale commercial sites.
If you're keen to find out more about how to get started with battery energy storage in the UK, you can contact one of our BESS experts over the phone or via email.
Get In Touch
Unit 9B, Stafford Park 12
Telford, Shropshire, TF3 3BJ
Battery energy storage is the future, so make sure you're leading the way! We would love to hear about your ideas, concepts, or plans for a BESS at your home or workplace, so please don't hesitate to get in touch if you would like to take your first steps towards a greener future.
