Many large energy users are still in the dark when it comes to the correct deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS). Tom Adlington, sector sales manager, building services & construction at Aggreko, argues for more awareness around the fundamentals before embedding BESS as part of a hybrid power package. He shares his thoughts on a checklist for industry leaders to share.

Increased pressure on emissions regulations, decarbonisation goals, decreasing fuel consumption on site, variable load concerns, capex spending, the list goes on. Our energy-intensive customers are coming to us with a plethora of energy challenges and a surface-level understanding of new technologies that could potentially help. A BESS, incorporated as a hybrid temporary power package, offers a solution to these growing problems. For example, they can:

• enable intervals of reduced noise and zero emissions
• substitute diesel to drive down emissions and carbon footprint
• address capacity limitations from constrained power connections or limited generator capacity
• keep generators running at optimal loads, enhancing reliability and efficiency
• facilitate effective management of power loads to reduce or right-size generators
• support transient loading, accommodating high inrush currents from motor starts, heavy machinery, tower cranes, etc.
• maximise renewable energy utilisation to reduce dependence on grid power
• extend intervals between generator servicing and refuelling by minimising generator usage.

If not deployed correctly, energy could be wasted. There are things to consider with battery storage in a hybrid power package:

Load profiles

It may sound obvious, but identifying exactly what needs to be powered when considering BESS for a hybrid power solution is critical. This first step is often overlooked, but isolating power requirements is a must. And will power requirements change?

As part of assessing the load profile, peak demand, low demand and the base load should be taken into account. For peak demand, the highest power requirements should be identified and any high inrush currents caused by power-hungry machinery or motor starts can be noted. Extended periods with minimal power demand, or power loads that persist for extended durations, may also be considered.

Patterns or timings can be identified to establish where and when power fluctuations occur, and whether night or day makes a difference.

Understanding the load profile helps us understand where BESS can add value, and the best possible generator and BESS combination.

When selecting the right BESS and generator combination it can be possible to ‘right size’ or downsize the generator. This is because BESS can provide power assistance during short bursts of high-power demand, enabling the generator to be sized according to the average/base load of the application. In turn, the BESS enables the generator to be switched off during prolonged periods of low loads, only calling on the generator when the state of charge is low, ensuring the generator aways operates at an efficient capacity. Using smart technology, such as Aggreko Connect and Aggreko Remote Monitoring, enables us to use the historical or anticipated load profile information to recommend the right hybrid temporary power package dependent on requirements and give an idea of emissions and fuel reduction. The technology also allows offsite monitoring of equipment, access to up-to-date site information and live data, maximising operational efficiency and enabling proactive diagnostics from anywhere at any time.

Environmental regulations

Depending on a site’s location and environmental regulations, noise and emissions may be critical factors. If there are legal or regulatory restrictions affecting a project, BESS can help address this by significantly reducing a project’s local emissions with a greener intermediate power supply during peak demand. A major construction project operated by UK civil engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine, realised an 85% reduction in emissions across five live tower cranes when paired with a BESS supplied by Aggreko.

The same applies for sites with mandatory quiet periods during specific hours. BESS can provide a more environmentally friendly and quieter alternative compared to other traditional power sources, such as diesel generators.

Cost is one of the first things that comes to mind when sourcing additional power supply. After all, balancing the figures is what any project relies on and bringing in costly new equipment must be carefully accounted for. Temporary BESS solutions avoid the investment of large amounts of capex before you know the technology is the correct fit for your site or project. It is important to note that incorporating a BESS into a wider hybrid power package leads to reduced costs and emissions. Additionally, if energy storage usage is intended to overcome a capacity constraint, costs may outweigh that of increasing the size of the power supply.

Controls

Through good controls, the benefits of BESS can be further enhanced. Controls can help optimise power distribution and support system reliability by controlling and monitoring parameters. Remote management can enhance flexibility and responsiveness while driving cost optimisation through reducing fuel consumption. Again, used in conjunction with smart controls, real-time monitoring, reporting, and analytics capabilities can also be utilised.

It is the responsibility of the battery storage industry to share information to improve standards and accelerate wider awareness and adoption of the technology.