By Dwibin Thomas, cluster automation leader at Schneider Electric.
Utility-scale battery storage is growing in leaps and bounds, with the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimating it will reach 30 gigawatts by 2025.This remarkable growth in battery storage capacity is outpacing even the early growth of the US’s utility-scale solar capacity.
Dwibin Thomas.
The above is a clear indication that utility-scale battery storage is becoming the storage method of choice for developed countries such as the US, and rightly so. Battery storage adds stability to variable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Renewable energy such as wind and solar are intermittent, and can only provide electricity in optimal circumstances. Batteries overcome this problem by storing any additional energy produced by renewables, providing a stable base load when energy resources such as the grid, solar or wind aren’t available.
In South Africa, utility-scale batteries offer a stable storage solution particularly with more IPPs entering the market and providing renewable energy to alleviate strain on the traditional grid.
Here, it is vitally important that storage such as lithium-ion batteries forms part of the energy provision mix from the get-go. As mentioned, renewables are intermittent, and if they are backed up by battery storage IPPs, will be able to provide a stable supply. Battery storage mitigates both short-term and intra-day imbalances in power generation, and in essence stabilises the grid.
Looking at the practical application of utility-scale storage, it works on a similar principle as a domestic system where a renewable energy source charges the batteries and the energy is stored for use at nights and/or when the grid is offline, or supply is unstable. Utility-scale battery storage like any residential system requires a sophisticated energy management systems (EMS) to provide insight into daily usage, provision, supply and so forth.
It therefore consists of hardware and software components.The hardware includes battery modules, battery racks, protection devices, and inverters which converts the direct current (DC) of the battery into the alternating current (AC) of the coupled power grid.
The key software components are the energy management system (EMS), the battery management system (BMS) and a supervisory control and data acquisition system (scada).
The EMS acts as a higher level operating system that integrates with external systems, and manages the response to changes in demand and supply. The function of the BMS is to monitor the performance data of the battery modules and to regulate their charging and discharging. The scada controls and monitors all the processes of the battery system in real time, while collecting data on the system’s performance, such as voltage, current, and temperature. It also provides alerts if there are any issues.
Lastly, and this is an important benefit, battery storage can provide power to the grid in a matter of seconds, allowing for a seamless switchover between distributed energy resources (DER) and, importantly, providing a stable supply to users.
Compact, high density power protection system for AI, data centre and large-scale electrical workloads Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its new Galaxy VXL – a highly efficient, compact, modular, scalable and redundant 500-1250 kW (400 V) 3-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS), complete with enhanced cybersecurity, software and safety features.
Read more...Duct and plant room air quality (PRAQ) sensors Schneider Electric South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Schneider Electric South Africa offers a comprehensive range of SpaceLogic duct and plant room air quality sensors. These cutting-edge sensors are designed to enhance building air quality and energy efficiency by combining multiple sensing capabilities into a single unit.
Read more...Taking the pain out of panel building Omron Electronics
Electrical Power & Protection
Panel building stands as a cornerstone of industrial automation, shaping the efficiency and reliability of automated systems across different and diverse industries, from manufacturing to infrastructure. Omron leverages over 80 years of experience to furnish OEMs and builders with cutting-edge control panel solutions.
Read more...The sensory reaction of the BMS Schneider Electric South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Today’s building management systems cannot function properly without sensors. Like our senses, they are an integral part of operations that run silently in the background, almost taken for granted.
Read more...Powerless is not an option
Electrical Power & Protection
When the power goes out it is important for commercial and tertiary facilities to be able to keep essential electrical equipment running. UPS systems are critical for transitioning and emergency backup power.
Read more...Securing the power supply
Electrical Power & Protection
Grid management systems are the linchpin of modern transmission and distribution networks. To understand the intricacies of grid management, it is necessary to unpack its core components: scada systems, energy management systems, outage management systems and wide area management systems.
Read more...Digitalisation in mining - the advantage you need now Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Digitalisation offers immense and proven benefits such as streamlining operations, reducing error and accelerating workflows. Mining operators today leverage digital technologies to improve efficiency, sustainability and very importantly, safety.
Read more...The shape of water – automating hydropower operations Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Hydropower is undoubtedly one of the building blocks of today’s renewable energy industry and its operations need to be efficient, reliable and sustainable. Automation must therefore form part of today’s modern hydropower operations to improve resource management and enhance reliability.
printer friendly version