A BESS, or Battery Energy Storage System, is a technology that captures electrical energy from renewable or non-renewable sources and stores it in rechargeable batteries for later use
. It helps balance energy supply and demand by storing excess energy-often generated from solar or wind-and discharging it when needed, such as during peak demand periods, power outages, or grid instability
. Key components of a BESS include:
- Rechargeable batteries (commonly lithium-ion, lead-acid, flow batteries, or flywheels) that store electrical energy
- A bidirectional inverter or power conversion system that converts power between the battery’s DC output and the AC grid voltage, allowing charging and discharging
- An energy management system (EMS) that controls and coordinates the operation of the entire system
BESS units are used in various applications such as electricity grids, renewable energy installations, electric vehicles, commercial and residential power management, and industrial backup power
. They provide benefits like improved grid stability, backup power during outages, load leveling, and cost savings by reducing reliance on fossil fuel generation
. In summary, a BESS is an energy storage solution that stores electrical energy in batteries to be used later, enabling more efficient and flexible use of energy, particularly from renewable sources, and supporting grid reliability and decarbonization efforts
