Energy storage is becoming an integral part of our electrical infrastructure. The ability to store energy and release it when needed is vital to delivering a secure, reliable, modern electricity system. Many of the battery energy storage systems (BESS) operating across the country today use lithium-ion (Li-ion) technology. Li-ion batteries are already commonly used in a wide range of consumer devices such as laptop computers, cellphones, toys and handheld power tools, as well as in electric vehicles. Li-ion BESS have the potential to make a meaningful contribution to a low-carbon electrical grid.
Without a way to store power, electricity has to be used the instant it’s created. Our nation’s electrical grids are carefully managed by grid operators that constantly ensure the supply of electricity exactly meets demand. Under normal circumstances, this is accomplished by the grid operator telling individual power plants to increase or decrease their production of electricity, sometimes on a minute-by-minute basis.
In addition to electricity, grid operators need power plants that can provide services such as frequency regulation and voltage support, which are essential to maintain a safe and reliable electrical system. Because energy storage can release power on demand, adding BESS in strategic locations makes the grid stronger.