Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are playing a crucial role in the green energy industry, especially for solar power. These systems help improve the stability of power supplies and prevent power shortages caused by outages or weather events. So, are you curious about the structure of this energy storage solution and how its components work together to ensure power supply for production and daily life? Let’s explore it through this article.

1. Introduction to Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

What is BESS?

Like a “power bank” for solar power systems, BESS is used to store excess energy generated by solar panels. In addition to power from solar panels, BESS can also store energy from the grid or other renewable energy sources. A BESS is constructed from numerous lithium-ion batteries arranged together.

The Role of BESS:

• Energy storage systems help optimize the performance of solar power solutions by storing excess power generated by solar panels during the day and using it at night or during bad weather.
• BESS helps balance and stabilize power supplies for loads, thereby minimizing the difference between power supply and demand that occurs during periods of the day or weather conditions that affect the performance of solar panels.
• Customers can also maximize savings on electricity bills by charging the grid from the BESS during off-peak hours and using this energy during peak hours.

Explore the manufacturing partners collaborating on the BESS VAS system.

2. Main Components of a BESS System:

Battery System:

• Function: As the core component of the BESS system, this part is responsible for receiving and storing energy from various sources (such as the grid, renewable energy sources, etc.) to supply loads when needed.
• Structure: Lithium cells are connected in series and parallel to form modules. These modules are then packaged and protected within battery packs. The battery packs are stacked on top of each other to form battery racks.
• The battery racks can be connected in series or parallel to achieve the required voltage and current. These racks form a complete battery system.

Battery Management System (BMS):

• Function: This is a system that monitors the real-time status of the batteries to ensure their stability, safety, and operational condition. It protects the batteries from damage in various operating scenarios.
• Tasks: Ensures the batteries operate within safe limits for state of charge (SoC), state of health (SoH), voltage, temperature, and current.
• Modern BMS systems are capable of monitoring and protecting batteries in real-time at the cell, module, and system levels.

Power Conversion System (PCS) or Hybrid Inverter:

• Function: This component is responsible for converting direct current (DC) from the batteries into alternating current (AC) for use by the grid or electrical devices, and vice versa for charging the batteries. BESS systems typically use a two-way power conversion system, unlike the one-way power conversion inverters used with solar panels.
• This two-way power conversion capability allows the BESS to both charge energy from the grid (AC-DC) and discharge it for use by electronic devices (DC-AC). In addition, the PCS has various operating modes to suit different charging/discharging strategies.

Controller:

• Function: This component acts as the brain of the entire BESS system. Its main tasks include managing, monitoring, protecting, and coordinating the operation of the BESS components. In addition, this component can also communicate with electricity meters and transformers, helping the entire BESS system operate efficiently. The controller can also be integrated with third-party SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and EMS (Energy Management System) for data collection and energy management. This component also provides tiered protection solutions for the BESS system in the event of energy overload during charging and discharging.

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning):

• Function: HVAC helps regulate the internal environment of the energy storage system (BESS) to maintain optimal temperature and humidity for the batteries to operate at peak charging and discharging efficiency. The air conditioning system will help extend the cycle life of the batteries and prevent overheating.

Fire Suppression System:

• Function: This is the next layer of defense in the BESS, helping to prevent thermal runaway events that can lead to fires and explosions. When thermal runaway is detected in the batteries, the fire suppression system is activated by features such as gas, smoke, or heat detection. The fire suppression system uses extinguishing agents to cool and absorb heat.

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition):

• Function: SCADA centrally monitors and controls the components within the BESS. This unit communicates and works primarily with controllers via a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). SCADA allows operators to control and set parameters for the BMS and auxiliary systems. Most BESS systems can integrate SCADA from third parties through connection protocols such as Register Map.

EMS (Energy Management System):

• Function: Controls and schedules BESS operations to optimize performance and return on investment. Key features of the EMS include: Direct communication with the PCS/hybrid inverter and BMS, Consideration of external factors such as the power grid, transformers, and loads, Collection and analysis of BESS performance data.

3. Conclusion:

Through this article, we have learned about the important components of BESS and their role in optimizing energy storage sources for use in daily life and production. Especially in the trend of using renewable energy sources everywhere in the world, BESS provides stability, a continuous power supply, unaffected by weather events or grid failures.

At VAS, we are proud to affirm that we are a pioneer in providing rooftop solar energy solutions integrated with BESS for Industry. If your factory is looking for green, clean, cost-effective, and stable energy solutions, please contact us immediately via hotline: 0766 666 480 for detailed consultation.