Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are revolutionizing the renewable energy industry by providing a smart solution to the challenge of intermittency. However, the widespread adoption of grid-scale batteries is hindered by curtailment issues and the lack of cost-effective grid connections.
To address these challenges, industry expert Graham Ault highlights the importance of implementing smart software, such as Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS). DERMS allow grid operators to optimize grid capacity, effectively balance supply and demand, and avoid curtailment of renewable energy sources. Additionally, DERMS offer promising opportunities for integrating electric vehicle (EV) batteries into the grid, enabling the efficient use of EVs as portable batteries and further promoting the transition to green energy. By leveraging smart software solutions, the potential of grid-scale batteries can be fully harnessed, contributing to a more sustainable and reliable energy future.
The growth of battery energy storage capacity in the United States has been remarkable, with an increase of 52% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023. However, this figure could have been even higher if not for delays caused by a lack of cost-effective and timely grid connections. This issue is particularly pronounced in Texas, where the state is striving to connect more storage capacity to the grid following the power outages caused by Winter Storm Uri. Grid connections for batteries are in high demand as developers seek to connect wind and solar farms, but utilities and system operators face significant challenges in accommodating these resources. To minimize the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades, distribution system operators are turning to powerful software solutions, such as DERMS, to manage and optimize their grids. By leveraging DERMS, grid operators can better control the flow of power from distributed energy resources, including battery storage, enabling more efficient use of renewable energy and avoiding curtailment. This integration of smart software and grid-scale batteries is crucial for unlocking their full potential and accelerating the transition to a greener and more resilient energy system.
Source: renewableenergyworld.com