In response to the government’s net zero targets, businesses throughout the UK are investing in green energy and sustainable practices. To mitigate their influence on the environment and reduce their dependence on national energy sources, many are switching to commercial solar or wind power. However, renewable energy solutions alone can be intermittent in the level of energy produced, meaning they are often insufficient to guarantee a steady and dependable power supply for enterprises with significant energy consumption. This is where battery energy storage systems (BESS) come in – businesses looking to level up their netzero efforts, should not under estimate the power of the battery energy storage system.
By integrating renewable energy with BESS, companies can store additional energy produced by solar and wind power, offering a steady and dispatchable supply of electricity.
Businesses will also benefit from greater energy security, saving money on energy bills, and resilience in a competitive energy market. Renewable energy solutions incorporating BESS will have a major role in the UK’s future energy infrastructure as fossil fuel sources continue to be phased out and environmental regulations tighten.[1]
The Energy Group is one of the top providers of commercial renewable energy systems in the UK and a leader in providing bespoke and advanced battery energy storage solutions.
This white paper examines the expanding significance of commercial battery energy storage system and how UK companies can incorporate these systems to increase energy security, maximise cost savings, and bolster their environmental credentials.
What are battery energy storage systems: BESS?
From small-scale systems that fit in a plant room or warehouse to large encapsulated solutions placed outdoors on industrial land, battery energy storage solutions, BESS usually comprise modular battery units encased in secure, weatherproof enclosures. These battery units are linked to a power management system that both stores excess energy and governs energy distribution, charging and discharging according to current grid circumstances and demand.
As well as regulating the grid, BESS maintain a flexible uninterrupted supply of electricity and offers backup power during outages because of their rapid response times.[2] In commercial energy storage, the most frequently used batteries are lithium-ion batteries due to their high efficiency, quick charging cycles, and prolonged lifespan. Lithium-based BESS are often the go-to solution for companies looking for dependable, flexible storage solutions. Although they are less portable than lithium-ion systems, flow batteries are an attractive alternative option for large-scale businesses due to their longer discharge durations, increased safety features and durable performance.[3] Lead-acid batteries are less appropriate for long-term commercial usage. Although they are less costly and up to 90% efficient, they have a limited life span of up to 15 years, restricting their large-scale storage application.[4]
Why UK businesses cannot afford to overlook battery energy storage systems
Businesses in the UK need to proactively secure their energy future, as grid stability concerns increase and energy prices continue to climb. Businesses that need a consistent, dependable energy supply may have difficulties due to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, even though they offer clean, more affordable electricity. By allowing companies to store excess renewable energy and use it when needed, battery energy storage systems (BESS) provide the answer, lowering reliance on the grid and safeguarding against fluctuating energy costs and potential power outages.
In 2020, the UK government simplified regulations on planning to promote the development of large-scale battery installations to store renewable energy from wind and solar systems, acknowledging the value of energy storage. In 2020, the UK government relaxed planning restrictions for energy storage projects as it sought to support the installation of storage cells five times larger than those on the market at the time and increase the overall number of battery systems linked to the grid.[5] As part of the UK’s goal of reducing its contribution to climate change by 2050, the government is dedicated to increasing energy storage and has invested over £3 billion in low-carbon technologies.[6]
Businesses can enhance their energy independence, substantially decrease their dependence on electricity from the National Grid, and safeguard themselves from fluctuations in prices and potential power outages, by combining commercial battery storage with renewable energy solutions. Beyond energy security, BESS are a vital tool for maximising renewable energy efficiency. Businesses may take advantage of load shifting to store energy during periods of reduced power rates and use it during peak hours when tariffs are higher. This aids businesses in more effectively managing their energy use, promoting long-term financial stability and supporting the UK’s net zero objectives.
Battery storage is more than simply a backup power source for businesses looking to future-proof their operations; it is a crucial investment in sustainability, efficiency, and resilience.
Slash your energy costs and take control of your business expenditure with BESS installation
The UK’s energy market structure, which is impacted by fluctuating electricity costs throughout the day, makes BESS an essential investment for enterprises.
Patterns of electrical usage were altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it challenging to maintain an equilibrium of supply and demand in the energy grid. Electricity use dropped by 25% as an outcome of the introduction of national lockdowns and the growing popularity of working from home (WFH).[7] Energy suppliers found it more challenging to forecast and control usage as a result of this decline in demand, which flattened the total consumption profile. The UK’s overall energy supply-demand balance and the fact that power generation is sometimes more expensive at peak hours, usually in the evening or during times of high demand, are additional causes of price swings.[8] These factors highlight the unpredictability of energy use and the need for more adaptable energy solutions for enterprises.
Businesses can capitalise further, conserving excess electricity produced at peak generating time and using it when renewable generation is lower by combining BESS with renewable energy. This lessens dependency on the National Grid and decreases the effect of price volatility by guaranteeing a consistent and predictable energy supply. Investing in BESS is an intelligent decision that helps companies lower operational expenditures while the UK’s grid reliability remains a challenge.
BESS: Ensure security and protect against instability
The ability of BESS to give businesses a dependable and continuous power source, guaranteeing operational continuity even in the face of grid instability or unplanned power outages, is one of its most appealing features. Businesses in the UK encounter risks if relying only on traditional energy infrastructure due to the rising demand for energy and the resulting pressure on the National Grid. Energy security is hugely increased by integrating BESS with renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which enables businesses to store excess electricity during times of high generation and use it when needed.
In addition to protecting companies against supply disruptions, having on-site storage capacity lessens their exposure to the UK’s gas-price-reliant energy markets that are prone to price spikes, which can have a substantial effect on operational expenses. In maintaining a more robust and effective energy system by balancing variations in supply and demand, BESS also helps to stabilise the grid. Businesses with strong energy storage solutions will be better equipped to handle future difficulties and preserve long-term energy security as extreme weather events increase in frequency and the UK speeds up its move away from fossil fuels.
Battery energy storage systems to meet your sustainability targets
When combined with renewable energy sources like solar or wind, battery energy storage systems offer businesses an effective means of dramatically reducing their carbon footprint. BESS is a useful and important way of demonstrating corporate responsibility and dedication to sustainability, as companies across the UK are under increasing scrutiny to comply with rigorous environmental requirements and satisfy the country’s ambitious net-zero emissions target by 2050.
Businesses may significantly reduce their dependence on fossil fuel-based power networks and, consequently, their overall associated carbon emissions by using and storing extra energy produced by renewable sources. This makes it possible for companies to run more energy-efficiently and lessen their impact on the environment.
Additionally, introducing cutting-edge, environmentally friendly technology puts businesses at the forefront of the sustainability movement and draws in stakeholders, investors, and clients who place a higher value on environmental stewardship and sustainability. When combined with renewable energy, BESS highlight a business’s sustained dedication to building a greener, cleaner future. In addition to addressing current environmental issues, this proactive strategy guarantees that the company will be in a strong position to comply with future legal obligations as and when the UK intensifies its efforts to tackle climate change.
Turn energy into revenue and future-proofing with BESS
By selling stored energy back to the grid, BESS gives companies the chance to make extra money, particularly during periods of high demand. This can provide businesses with a method to profit from changes in the energy market and generate a new source of income. Businesses may also take advantage of several incentives and rebates that increase the return on their investment as a result of the government’s growing support for renewable energy and storage systems. In the long run, BESS help businesses stay competitive and compliant by ensuring they are ready for future changes in the energy market, such as tighter regulations and the possibility of increased energy prices.
The Energy Group: Powering UK Businesses
Our commitment to a sustainable future
The Energy Group is dedicated to championing the shift to a sustainable energy future so that businesses in the UK can operate with increased energy efficiency and independence. Our objective is to promote cutting-edge energy storage technologies so businesses may fully benefit from nearby renewable energy solutions. We enable companies to reach their net-zero targets and assist in building a cleaner, greener future by combining revolutionary BESS with solar and wind energy.
To provide UK businesses with access to the newest energy storage solutions, we work with industry experts and invest in cutting-edge technology. With rising energy demand and stricter sustainability regulations, BESS will be essential for improving grid stability and energy efficiency.
Technology for smart energy management
At The Energy Group, we use the most up-to-date innovations in battery energy storage technology to deliver scalable, high-performance solutions to businesses.
How The Energy Group’s BESS solutions empower your business
- We use high-efficiency lithium-ion batteries that provide exceptional energy density and quick response rates, delivering the most effective storage and discharge capabilities.
- Through our solutions, businesses can enhance their consumption of energy, eliminate waste, and boost overall efficiency with the support of intelligent energy management systems.
- By investing in our BESS systems, recognising peak hours and effectively regulating energy output is simple. Your business can improve its consumption of energy and reduce a significant amount of operational expenditure.
- By increasing energy capacity, you can boost site capacity instantaneously without requiring drawn-out grid infrastructure procedures.
Partnering with The Energy Group
For businesses to take full advantage of BESS technology, The Energy Group is dedicated to supporting them in navigating the intricate world of energy storage. We are the ideal partner for companies looking to effortlessly integrate storage solutions thanks to our expertise, passion for innovation, and customer-centric approach.
Build a resilient, green future
Choosing corporate battery energy storage is a calculated investment that supports long-term corporate viability and environmental responsibility. Businesses that implement BESS into their business plans will find themselves in an enhanced position to maximise the use of renewable energy, reduce their carbon footprint, and contribute to an environmentally friendly future as the UK accelerates forward in its journey to a zero-carbon economy.
We at The Energy Group endeavour to deliver complete support to companies wishing to implement BESS into their businesses. The expertise of our staff promises an effortless and comfortable transition to energy storage from the first assessment and design phase to installation and continuing maintenance.
Selecting The Energy Group enables your company access to the most current developments in battery storage technology, industry-leading knowledge, and a straightforward path to increased sustainability and energy efficiency.
Are you prepared to advance energy storage? To find out how our custom BESS solutions may help your company fully use renewable energy, get in touch with The Energy Group today.
[1] Saini, Pawan, and Lata Gidwani. “An investigation for battery energy storage system installation with renewable energy resources in distribution system by considering residential, commercial and industrial load models.” Journal of Energy Storage, Volume 45 (2022) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352152X21011762
[2] Conzen, Lakshmipathy, Kapahi, Kraft, DiDomizio, “Lithium ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) hazards”, Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, Volume 81 (2023) p.2 https://acton-bess-opposition-petition.actontakesaction.org/pdfs/articles/lithium-ion-battery-energy-storage-systems-bess-hazards-221121-science-direct.pdf
[3] Trung Nguyen and Robert F. Savinell, “Flow Batteries”, The Electrochemical Society Interface, Volume 19, Issue 54 (2010) P.55 https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/2.F06103if/pdf
[4] Datta, Ujjwal, Akhtar Kalam, and Juan Shi. “A review of key functionalities of battery energy storage system in renewable energy integrated power systems.” Energy Storage 3, Issue 5 (2021), p.6
[5] Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, “Battery storage boost to power greener electricity grid”, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/battery-storage-boost-to-power-greener-electricity-grid
[6] Ibid.
[7] Kirli, Parzen, Kiprakis, “Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the electricity system of Great Britain: a study on energy demand, generation, pricing and grid stability”, Energies, Volume 14, Issue 3 (2021), p.23 https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/3/635
[8] British Gas, “Off peak electricity explained”, https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/guides/off-peak-electricity.html
