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See how a battery energy storage system reduces energy costs, increases sustainability, and improves resiliency.
Energy storage allows organizations to implement cost-saving strategies like energy arbitrage – charging the battery when electricity rates are low, and using the stored energy when rates are high
Energy storage systems can help facilities avoid high demand charges by performing “peak shaving” or “load shedding” – quickly shifting to battery power consumption during peak pricing periods
When paired with solar energy systems, energy storage systems enables excess solar generated during the day to be stored and used at night, extending the hours of green energy use to help organizations meet their sustainability targets
Energy storage systems can enhance a facility’s energy resiliency during power outages by serving as a source of backup power for critical operations and services
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Explore Financing OptionsA battery energy storage system (BESS) is an onsite energy asset that stores electricity for later use. A BESS can be installed as a standalone system or combined with other energy assets such as solar arrays.
While battery energy storage itself is not considered renewable energy, it is critical to the clean energy transition. Battery energy storage systems are often used to store energy from intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind for the purpose of dispatching it at a later time.
A battery energy storage system intakes electricity — either from the power grid, clean energy assets like solar panels, or a combination of sources — and stores it in a bank of batteries that are housed inside a metal enclosure. The enclosure is installed outdoors, typically in a parking lot adjacent to your building. An energy management system controls when the stored energy is dispatched to power building loads, giving you greater flexibility in how you use your energy.
There are a number of benefits to installing a battery energy storage system on your property. A BESS enables cost optimization strategies like energy arbitrage — banking electricity when utility rates are low and then dispatching it to power your facility when rates are high. In a different strategy called peak shaving, you can use stored energy to reduce your maximum grid consumption and shield your business from expensive peak demand charges.
A BESS also allows you to maximize the effectiveness of clean energy assets like solar, helping you reduce emissions, shrink your carbon footprint, and achieve corporate sustainability goals.
Incentives for installing battery storage systems may include investment tax credits, rebates, grants, and other financial mechanisms that vary by region and policy environment. To learn what money-saving opportunities are available in your area, consult our Policy Hub.
Lithium-ion batteries are most widely used for energy storage, for a number of reasons. They are energy dense, meaning they can hold a large amount of charge without taking up too much space. Versus other battery types, lithium-ion batteries can be depleted of more of their stored energy without incurring damage — a measurement known as depth of discharge. Most of all, the price of lithium-ion batteries has decreased over the years while their performance continues to improve.
All batteries degrade over time and will eventually need to be replaced. However, when properly maintained, a battery energy storage system can function for 25 years or more.
While it won’t last forever, you can store energy in a BESS for an extended period of time — probably longer than you’d need to, assuming typical conditions. Lithium-ion batteries inside a BESS will generally lose 2 to 5% of their charge per month (but this can vary based on factors like operating temperature). That means it would take nearly 2 years of non-use for your BESS to run out of energy. As most customers discharge and charge their batteries frequently to help power their facilities and take advantage of energy cost savings, this is unlikely to be a concern.
When combined with a solar array, a battery energy storage system allows you to store any surplus solar energy leftover during the day and use it in the evening instead of pulling electricity from the grid. This strategy, called solar shifting, effectively extends the usefulness of your solar energy to reduce your reliance on your utility company, cut your electricity costs, and improve your sustainability. (Read more about the benefits of pairing solar with energy storage here.)
Energy stored in a BESS can be used to power your electric vehicle chargers, or any other piece of equipment on your property that requires electricity for that matter. An energy management system facilitates this by automatically allocating energy to charging stations, as well as your other onsite loads.
Using stored energy to power EV chargers reduces the need to consume electricity from the grid, often during peak times when prices are highest. Plus, if the stored energy originated from a renewable source like solar, you can ensure “green” electrons are powering your chargers — and the electric vehicles they service — instead of fossil fuels.