Energy storage and management solutions
The management ofthe energy we generateand what we consume is of utmost importance, both at the levelresidentialas a salesperson andindustrialand the implementation ofstorage solutionsfor theImproved energy management is already a reality.
These solutions become a productive asset at all levels of consumption, capable of providing us withenergy benefitsandclear economics. This is especially relevant given that the instability of certain electricity markets can cause unforeseen risks and deviations in our business plans or our household budget.
Residential batteries help us manage unused energy and store it for use at the end of the daywhen our photovoltaic installation is not producing, or during times when the cost of electricity is higher.
On the other hand, in the case of commercial and industrial batteries, the functionalities and the use of stored energy increase. Industrial storage solutions allow us to:
- Increase our rates of solar self-consumption.
- Take advantage of low or high cost tariff periods.
- Avoid power demands exceeding the contracted amount.
- It provides network stability.
- It reduces the need for expansion of the electricity supply.
- It allows us to have a backup and isolated operation, among other things.
Commercial and industrial accumulation
Commercial and industrial storage solutions are now a real and viable option to address electrical supply systems with network capacity limitations and with an energy demand that needs energy management, as well as power management.
To provide context, this category of batteries ranges from 100 kWh to 4 MWh, with compositions from 0.25C to 1C, that is, with typical charging and discharging powers from 100 kW to 4 MW.
Below, we list the components that make up a C&I accumulation system. As you can imagine, these are not made up of just one“large battery”:
- ESS: It is the battery itself, the set of lithium cells that make up the storage capacity (kWh).
- PCS: It is the bidirectional inverter for charging and discharging the battery, whose main parameter is the power (kW) that it is capable of managing.
- Optimizers - Rack Controler: Voltage and current optimization elements present in each battery module or in each battery rack. Its function is similar to the optimization we know in photovoltaic modules, and its objective is to deliver the maximum possible power to the PCS.
- Sensors: Elements both at the individual level of the battery module, and at the general level of the ESS assembly, provide us with monitored information to know the status of the equipment in question or of the specific part of the equipment.
- Air conditioning/Ventilation: With the support of the sensors, these systems maintain the optimal temperature level for the correct operation of the solution.
- Fire Protection: In general, storage system manufacturers offer between 3 and 5 levels of protection against the risk of fire to prevent this event from occurring.
- Overpressure protection: High internal pressure protection systems act as "relief valves" that primarily aim to eliminate the risk of explosion.
- Cabinet: It is the wardrobe furniture in which some manufacturers configure the solution with all the above elements. Those manufacturers who incorporate it into their design offer everything from a cabinet with a specific design for each solution to a minimally adapted traditional container-type "packaging".
- Monitoring systems: It is the set of dataloggers present in the system. The ESS requires its own for the acquisition of all the data necessary for the correct management of energy in the EMS.
- EMS: He is the supervisor and global manager of the system. It has the ability to manage and monitor the main subsystems of a complete installation with all its energy sources and power levels, such as the electrical grid, the photovoltaic installation, the ESS or the diesel generator if there is one for isolated systems or backup management. Basically, it is a main datalogger that is fed by the dataloggers of the other subsystems.
- Switch-backup: A more specific element for those solutions that require network disconnection during the application of the backup functionality.
Within this category, and taking into account the required capacity and power levels, among the available options we can find two types of solutions at the system integration level:
- Comprehensive solutions: These are solutions in which the manufacturer provides us with all the necessary equipment for configuration, assembly, installation and commissioning. It typically acts as the sole supplier and the equipment comes ready for installation.
In this case, the installer or theEPCistIt is not necessary to carry out prior analyses or studies for integration with other equipment from other manufacturers or to confirm electrical and communications compatibility or the correct energy management of the entire system.
- Non-comprehensive solutions: These are solutions in which the manufacturer of the battery itself, modules or lithium rack (ESS part), practically only provides this equipment and the rest of the elements and equipment of the system must be acquired through other manufacturers, through the prior study of compatibility and functionality that makes the complete solution viable.
In these cases theEPCistThe installer becomes ultimately responsible for system integration.
Analyzing the system configuration, we can also differentiate between two types of solutions:
- Modular solutions: Those composed of individual groups of ESS or parallel battery racks, which are combined to achieve the desired capacity and power. The biggest benefit of this type of solution is that the range of power and capacity is very flexible.
- Utility solutions: Solutions derived from technology and utility scale dimension, adapted at the C&I level in a single "pack", usually without the possibility of decomposition or expansion. They are usually 1, 2, 3 and 4 MWh models on the current market, in cabinet sizes equivalent to a 20-foot and/or 40-foot container.
The advantages that commercial and industrial accumulation brings us are becoming more numerous every day. Below we detail the most important ones:
- Increased self-consumption: In those installations where the battery is accompanied by a photovoltaic installation, storage helps us to manage surpluses efficiently and thus make better use of the energy generated by our installation, significantly improving its profitability.
- Network stability: Due to its intrinsic power injection capacity, with its stable voltage and frequency parameters, the storage system helps us eliminate instabilities that we might have from our connection or supply point.
- TOU: Based on the photovoltaic installation's production and the contracted electricity periods and tariffs, this function allows us to program and configure charging and discharging schedules that improve the asset's profitability and, of course, our company's business plan.
- Peak Shaving: Power injection and configuration from the storage system is a great advantage in relation to the contracted power of the site, reducing those moments of "overpower" in consumption to avoid known effects in terms of "maximum demand" and therefore extra costs to be paid to the company for excess power compared to the contracted power.
- Reduction of supply conditions: Due to the circumstances of the location and the distribution network that supplies it, it is necessary to carry out a power expansion that results in time and high costs. Storage can become an element of internal power injection and management in consumption, providing capacity and, consequently, becoming a great alternative to the costly requirements of electric companies.
- Impossibility under the supply conditions: Following the functionality and advantage mentioned above, there are cases where an increase in power under the supply conditions is literally "impossible" or not allowed by the companies. Once again, the storage system as a power source helps us solve this great need that certain sites require, such as electric vehicle charging stations with fast or ultra-fast charging systems.
- Own assets: As it is a proprietary asset, it is not subject to market fluctuations, commercial strategies, and contractual and tariff changes that virtual battery providers will experience.
Do you need more information?
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Amara NZero: Customer service and technical support
From pre-sales to after-sales, our team of experts helps and advises you throughout the entire installation process of your storage system.
- In the phase ofpre-saleWe help youdesign the solution and the sizingcommercial and industrial storage solutions that suit your needs.
- In theinstallation, we provide youtechnical supportto ensure a smooth and uncomplicated process.
- And in the after-sales phase, we offer youcontinuous assistance and monitoringfor the system to function optimally.
Furthermore, we will always have the support and assistance of the manufacturer to ensure the optimal functioning of the installation with all its guarantees.
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Residential Batteries
Yes okAll batteries store energy in direct current (DC)We can differentiate two types according to the connection method:
Direct current (DC) battery
These types of photovoltaic batteries are the most common. They depend on an external inverter to convert the stored direct current into alternating current suitable for use. These battery models are very versatile and efficient, as they are compatible with different manufacturers and models of inverters. Furthermore, by connecting to hybrid inverters, they allow charging directly from our photovoltaic installation.
Alternating current (AC) battery
This type of battery has a DC-AC inverter inside. Therefore, its installation is simpler, since it is not necessary to make the battery-inverter connection. Furthermore, these types of residential batteries are usually modular, allowing us to expand our installation at any time.
On the other hand, it should be noted that, by having an inverter inside, this type of battery usually has more power in the installation.
Browse our catalog and discover all the residential battery options available!
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