Renewable energy sources like solar and wind have seen tremendous growth in recent years. However, their intermittent nature presents challenges to utility companies in balancing electricity supply and demand on the grid. This is where battery energy storage systems (BESS) come into play. BESS are rechargeable battery systems that can store excess electricity when production is high and dispatch it when required during low production periods. With advancements in battery technology, BESS is becoming increasingly efficient and cost-effective. Their modularity also allows for easy integration with renewable energy projects of any size. Let’s explore how BESS is revolutionizing energy storage and shaping cleaner energy landscapes.
Bridging the Variability Gap
The generation from solar panels or wind turbines can fluctuate widely depending on weather conditions and the time of day. BESS provides the flexibility to store excess generation and release the stored energy later to meet peak electricity demands. They act as a bridging solution to offset the unpredictable and seasonal variability associated with renewables. By smoothing the power supply, BESS enhances grid stability, prevents wastage of renewable energy assets, and increases their capacity utilization drastically.
Enabling Grid Modernization
Traditional power grids were designed for centralized fossil fuel-based generation. The addition of distributed renewables is transforming grids into flexible, decentralized smart systems. BESS is the secret ingredient enabling this progressive grid modernization. Smart inverters connected to the system provide intelligent control and orchestrate seamless coordination between renewable assets, BESS, and the grid. This allows optimal asset utilization, efficient power balancing, and uninterrupted supply even under disturbances. Such seamless management is impossible to achieve with conventional generators.
Supporting Grid Congestion Relief
In areas with high penetration of solar resources, the midday excess solar generation can lead to oversupply issues in the local distribution grid. BESS provides the flexibility to absorb such a sudden spike in generation and thereby relieve grid congestion. The stored charge can provide additional supply if the area faces peak electricity shortages later, during sunset hours after solar generation fades. Overall, dynamic load balancing with BESS can eliminate congestion issues and overinvestment in grid infrastructure.
The Promise of Long-Duration Storage
Most grid-scale BESS in use currently utilize lithium-ion batteries and have a shorter 1-4 hour storage capacity. However, their costs have declined nearly 90% over the past decade, and this trend will likely continue. In the coming years, we will see a shift towards batteries capable of storing power for even longer durations, exceeding 10 hours or more. This will disrupt the role of gas peaker plants and enable BESS to become the principal technology supporting grid reliability. Renewable energy combined with long-duration storage can cost-effectively replace fossil fuels even during overnight or long intraday gaps without sunlight or wind.
Enabling a Resilient Grid Edge
BESS is also empowering greater adoption of microgrids in remote and vulnerable communities. Such independent grids with solar and batteries can provide electricity access and backup resilience during extreme climate-driven outages. Especially vital public facilities like hospitals, fire stations, or evacuation shelters are now deploying solar+storage microgrids to sustain operations when the main grid fails. Thanks to plunging storage costs, renewable microgrids are becoming affordable and the obvious solution for resilient power.
BESS for Commercial and Industrial Users
Alongside energy companies, commercial and industrial users are also embracing BESS to cut electricity costs and enable sustainability. Demand charge reduction, solar self-consumption, and EV integration represent some of the major behind-the-meter applications. Companies enjoy great value in using their BESS to optimize operations during periods of peak pricing or demand response events called upon by utilities. Storage supports facilities in earning revenue from grid services, which further improves the return on investment.
Global Storage Market Outlook
As per research reports, the global BESS market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 40% until 2030. Over 10 GW of new storage capacity was installed globally, more than double the prior year. This unmatched growth across geographies substantiates the indispensable role of BESS in building resilient, net-zero-carbon energy systems. While lithium-ion remains the incumbent technology, we will see promising innovations in longer-duration batteries, advanced chemicals, and storage solutions integrated directly with solar equipment.
India’s Storage Ambitions
India has ambitious renewable targets of achieving 50% non-fossil capacity by 2030. To enable grid flexibility for 175 GW of intermittent solar and wind resources, the country anticipates a storage capacity addition between 27-65 GWh within this decade. Already, India has one of the largest BESS projects in the world underway, which will be vital for India’s renewable energy dreams.
Storage Options from Waaree Energies
As a leading solar EPC solutions provider, Waaree Energies understands the immense potential of energy storage in India’s net-zero future. That’s why we offer battery energy storage solutions customized to your needs and applications. Our solar and storage packages help you maximize self-consumption, reduce electricity expenses, and enable revenues through grid service participation.
The renewables transformation is truly incomplete without energy storage evolution. BESS is an indispensable catalyst for driving smarter, more resilient, and emission-free electricity networks worldwide. With precipitous cost declines expected, ample policy support, and ubiquitous demand from every electricity stakeholder, we foresee massive global adoption of storage over the coming years. Waaree Energies strives to play a leading role in realizing India’s renewable energy goals through cutting-edge ESS solutions. To learn more about our storage capabilities or integrate battery systems, visit our official website today!