What is BESS?
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a large battery that stores electricity for later use. Just like the battery in your phone or laptop, a BESS can be charged when there is excess electricity and discharged when more power is needed. However, instead of powering small devices, these systems are designed to store enough electricity to supply homes, businesses, and even entire communities.
How does BESS work?
BESS can either be linked to the National Grid or directly to renewable energy technologies like wind or solar farms. As energy is generated using renewable sources and power is added to the grid, there can be more energy produced than is needed- supply exceeds demand. Instead of the renewably produced energy going to waste, it can be siphoned off, either from the renewable system or from the grid, and stored in batteries for later use. When demand then again exceeds supply, the power can be drawn from the batteries to provide renewable electricity throughout the day.
Why do we need battery storage?
The need for battery storage has become more crucial as we increase our reliance on renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. These sources are clean and sustainable, but they don’t produce a constant supply of electricity. For example, solar panels generate power during the day when the sun is shining, but not at night. Similarly, wind turbines produce electricity when it’s windy, but not when it’s calm. This intermittency can create challenges in ensuring a steady supply of electricity.
Battery storage helps address this problem by storing the excess electricity generated during peak production times and releasing it when production is low. This capability is particularly important in Scotland, which is rich in renewable energy resources. Scotland has significant wind power potential, both onshore and offshore, which can sometimes produce more electricity than is immediately needed.
By using BESS, Scotland can effectively store this surplus energy and use it later, thereby reducing the need to rely on fossil fuel-powered plants when renewable energy generation is low. This not only helps in maintaining a stable electricity grid but also plays a significant role in decarbonising the grid. By reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and maximizing the use of clean, renewable energy, battery storage systems help to cut down greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a cleaner, greener environment.
In summary, Battery Energy Storage Systems are key to managing the variability of renewable energy sources, ensuring a stable power supply, and supporting Scotland’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions