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.
Overcoming the bottling industry’s fragmented visibility Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Electrical Power & Protection
Beverage bottling facilities are among manufacturing’s most energy-intensive environments, yet many still operate without granular insight into where that energy goes. Rezolia Muller-Potluri of Schneider Electric explains how tiered metering architecture and advanced
Read more...What you need is a nerve centre for your building Schneider Electric South Africa
SCADA/HMI
Schneider Electric’s Anoop Hariparsad explains how a building management system acts as a single nerve centre, cutting energy use and improving safety and guest experience.
Read more...New chiller line for high-density AI data centres Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric has launched the Uniflair XCA, a new series of air-cooled and free-cooling chillers designed for artificial intelligence-driven, high-density liquid-cooled data centres.
Read more...Turning system integrators into trusted technology partners Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing System Integration & Control Systems Design
Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partner Programme is repositioning system integrators from hardware suppliers into lifecycle-value partners. Oriel Soupen explains the competency framework, certification model and real-world results that are already helping African system integrators win higher-value, longer-term engagements.
Read more...Schneider Electric introduces next-generation BlokSeT switchboard Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its next-generation BlokSeT low-voltage switchboard in West Africa, offering high reliability, predictive maintenance capability and digital integration for critical infrastructure and industrial applications.
Read more...Powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion
Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM Distribution Transformers, the sole NECRT contract holder for Eskom, is powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion through robust neutral earthing transformer solutions deployed across solar and wind projects in southern Africa.
Read more...How a digital foundation can overcome the LNG trilemma Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing SCADA/HMI
The LNG sector is racing to add capacity, but without a digital backbone, growth creates complexity rather than capability. Christophe Begat of Schneider Electric explains how connecting data, systems and analytics across the LNG value chain can resolve the trilemma of secure supply, lower emissions and tighter costs.
Read more...You can’t digitise a blackout Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Across East Africa, smart meters and AI promise cleaner, more reliable power, but digital tools cannot optimise a grid too weak to carry the load. Schneider Electric’s Symphrose Ochieng sets out why operators should strengthen physical infrastructure first, then add digital capability in phases.
Read more...Battery energy storage is key to powering South Africa’s manufacturing sector
Electrical Power & Protection
South Africa’s shift to renewables is creating a significant opportunity in battery energy storage, but local manufacturers face an uphill battle against cheap imports and stop-start demand. Richard van Moltke of ACTOM Static Power examines what it will take to build a sustainable local battery storage industry.
Read more...Decarbonisation is reshaping mining strategy in Africa Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Electrical Power & Protection
Mining companies across Africa are embedding decarbonisation into operational strategy, driven by investor, regulatory and customer pressure to reduce emissions while improving resilience.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version