Energy Storage Systems + Grid Resilience

We live in a world with constant progress. Nowhere is this more evident that in the accelerating shift towards eMobility and the broader transformation of our energy landscape. This progress marks evolving needs and energy demands. As energy demand rises, it is evident that the load on the energy grid will increase. By 2030, over 60% of total vehicle sales are expected to be EVs, with growing energy demand and the dependency on renewable energy.

So, what can we do to lead this progress? In the quest to scale successful eMobility adoption, we often emphasize the need to develop a connected charging infrastructure, address the emerging concerns of EV adoption, such as range anxiety and station availability, and build a more resilient grid.

As we are building a connected charging infrastructure, technologies such as distributed energy resources, managed charging and load balancing are emerging. One critical aspect remains understated: Energy Storage Systems (ESS)! While they are gradually becoming popular, they are still largely limited to small-scale EVs and home energy storage applications.

Energy Storage Systems + Grid Resilience

The electrical grid serves as the backbone of our energy infrastructure. Renewable energy sources are often associated with variability and unpredictability. When coupled with the components of expensive grid infrastructure updates and fluctuating energy demand, the challenges become apparent.

We require a modern, integrated solution to ensure Grid Resilience. The goal of transitioning away from traditional energy sources and mobility must leave no stone unturned. ESS needs to be implemented beyond small-scale applications. The rationale is simple: Large-scale battery storage systems + renewable energy sources = Sustainable Grid Resilience. And we need it now more than ever!

Emergence of Energy Storage Systems – The Growing Need for Modern Energy Experience (EX)

A modernized grid backed by ESS is more efficient, reliable, and resilient, enabling the seamless integration of renewable energy sources and managing increased load efficiently. To successfully transition to enhanced energy experience and grid resilience, we need to understand the critical aspects of energy storage systems.

• ESS – Storing and Dispatching ENERGY
  Large-scale ESS provides a means to store and dispatch energy on demand! ESS offers numerous benefits: serving as a distributed energy resource (DER), storing and dispatching excess energy generated from energy sources, providing power backup during outages, enabling smart charging, assisting in managing peak energy demands, and, most importantly, helping to stabilize the grid.
• Energy storage systems – Eliminating the Renewable Energy Generation Uncertainty
  The supply from renewable energy sources such as solar rooftops and windmills depends on the weather conditions, making it highly variable. It is only logical to store renewable energy in energy storage systems! While it may seem tedious, integrating these energy storage systems has become possible and seamless with technologies such as AI/ML and energy experience platforms. Additionally, these platforms enable smart supply from ESS to the grid. Another reason why ESS needs to be integrated with the modern grid.
• Giving back to the grid- Role of ESS in Grid Modernization
  The concept of next-generation technologies such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G), redox-flow batteries, and newer Li-ion batteries is superimposable on the ESS. Along with increasing the durability and scalability, these new generation large-scale ESSs can supply stored energy back to the grid during peak load. Ultimately, this will enable load management by empowering commercial businesses and fleets with larger-scale charging without adding strain on the grid, making it a win-win situation!
• Microecosystem — Creating a Self-Sustainable Ecosystem
  When powered with AI/ML-powered platforms and modern technology, energy storage systems can create a self-sustained ecosystem that powers a small community of houses, eMobility, and even buildings. While this might seem a bit futuristic, it is possible! These microecosystems promote renewable energy creation and reduce dependency on the grid! How amazing is that!

As we move towards sustainability and a green future, it is imperative to explore all avenues to ensure a successful transition. With the acceleration of the eMobility movement, there comes an inevitable increase in grid load. Energy storage systems, particularly large-scale ESS, are pivotal in transitioning towards cleaner and sustainable energy sources, providing the capability to store and distribute energy on demand.