Energy storage as a natural process is as old as the universe itself - the energy present at the initial formation of the universe has been stored in stars such as the sun, and is now being used by humans directly or indirectly for example to grow crops.

Energy storage has evolved over the years with one of the more commonly known mechanical applications being the control of waterways to drive water mills. Complex systems of reservoirs and dams were constructed to store and release water and the potential renewable energy it contained.

Today, electrical energy can be stored in different ways, with new technological solutions being continuously redeveloped.

In order to be efficient in storing the energy that has been created, the challenge is to bridge the gap of storing excess electrical power from renewable sources such as solar or wind when usage is low to deliver it at times of demand – ensuring a balanced load is always available with a minimal loss of energy.

Realising the growing need to store energy, AEG Power Solutions, has developed BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) – an energy efficient and versatile solution for on and off-grid use in a wide range of capacities and power outputs.

AEG Power Solutions is well-placed to deliver smart solutions for connecting BESS technology to any grid for use in many areas, for example in peak shaving, peak demand shifting, frequency regulation and load leveling. The concept is flexible and adjustable to many requirements and applicable for almost all grid codes worldwide.

The combination of cutting-edge power electronics with the latest applications in battery technology gives BESS an advantage as it ensures that the operation of the grid remains stable at all times. When combined with renewable energy sources, a self-sufficient, localised solution is provided, that reduces the need to expand grids.

At the moment, AEG PS focuses on lead-acid and lithium-ion technologies. In the future, they plan to incorporate high-capacity flow battery technology into BESS. This will consist of rechargeable fuel cells with the advantages of rapid recharging and nearly unlimited capacity. Comparatively it incurs lower operating expense to the typical diesel powered generators.

Storage of energy using BESS has proven to be beneficial for many reasons. The most prominent includes:
• Saving money in the long-term by de-coupling energy consumption from rising electricity prices
• “Black start” capability for micro-grids – diesel generators not necessarily required
• A flexible turnkey solution that can be easily configured in parallel with other modules and can be operated locally on-site or remotely via the internet
• The solution is free of emissions with a reduced CO2 footprint
• The system is supported by AEG’s global service network
• Utilising intelligent battery monitoring technology

BESS is ideally suited to, and has been specifically designed for use in off-grid applications.
“Concentrating efforts on the sun-belt countries, where solar insolation is deemed very high. South Africa is at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution on the African continent with a huge government investment into various solar and wind projects underway. We are also working with a number of remote mining companies in Africa where it is more economical to install BESS when public funding or a grid connection is not available,” says Trevor de Vries, Managing Director 3W Power South Africa.

Whether it is a power supply for a remote mining, communications or for industrial location, BESS is available to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels for power generation. Conventional solutions are usually centered on diesel as the power generation source of choice but with escalating transportation and fuel costs other primary sources of electricity generation are becoming increasingly more attractive.