Common terms in BESS

27/11/2024

In the context of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), several common terms and concepts are frequently used. Here’s a list of key terms:

Technical Components

  1. Battery Cell: The smallest unit of energy storage in a BESS, which stores and releases electricity through electrochemical reactions.
  2. Battery Module: A group of battery cells connected in series or parallel to form a larger unit.
  3. Battery Pack: An assembly of battery modules, forming a complete unit for integration into the BESS.
  4. Inverter/Converter: Converts DC power from the batteries to AC power for the grid, or vice versa.
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  1. Energy Management System (EMS): Software that controls and optimizes the operation of the BESS, including charge/discharge cycles.
  2. Battery Management System (BMS): A system that monitors and manages the performance, safety, and health of the batteries.
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Key Parameters

  1. State of Charge (SoC): The percentage of energy currently stored in the battery compared to its total capacity.
  2. Depth of Discharge (DoD): The percentage of a battery’s capacity that has been used.
  3. Round-Trip Efficiency: The ratio of energy retrieved from the system to the energy put into it, expressed as a percentage.
  4. Cycle Life: The number of charge/discharge cycles a battery can undergo before its capacity degrades significantly.
  5. Energy Capacity: The total amount of energy the BESS can store, usually measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) or megawatt-hours (MWh).
  6. Power Rating: The maximum rate at which the BESS can charge or discharge energy, measured in kilowatts (kW) or megawatts (MW). Applications
  7. Peak Shaving: Reducing energy demand during peak periods by using stored energy.
  8. Load Leveling: Balancing power supply and demand by storing excess energy and releasing it during high demand.
  9. Frequency Regulation: Helping maintain grid stability by quickly injecting or absorbing power.
  10. Renewable Energy Integration: Storing energy generated by renewable sources (e.g., solar, wind) for later use.
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Battery Types

  1. Lithium-Ion (Li-ion): The most common battery type used in BESS due to high energy density and efficiency.
  2. Flow Batteries: Batteries that use liquid electrolytes stored in external tanks, ideal for large-scale energy storage.
  3. Lead-Acid: An older, less energy-dense technology still used in some applications due to lower cost. Safety and Performance
  4. Thermal Runaway: A critical condition where a battery overheats uncontrollably, posing safety risks.
  5. Degradation: The loss of battery capacity or performance over time due to repeated use or environmental factors.
  6. C-rate: A measure of the rate at which a battery charges or discharges relative to its capacity. Regulations and Standards
  7. UL Certification: Safety and performance certifications from Underwriters Laboratories.
  8. ISO Standards: International standards for quality and safety in BESS.
  9. Grid Interconnection Standards: Requirements for connecting a BESS to the power grid (e.g., IEEE 1547).

The RoyPow Power Store is a robust compact BESS with charging available from the gird, generator and Solar PV.