How Battery Energy Storage Systems Work

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) work by storing energy to be released for later use. These energy storage systems often use lithium-ion batteries to store the energy and release it when required. 

They’re the go-to solution for storing energy from renewable sources like solar and wind because they’re efficient, reliable, and capable of storing large amounts of stored electricity.

The electricity gets stored in these giant, rechargeable batteries and is released to power homes, businesses, or even entire electricity grids when demand spikes or during a power outage. New battery energy storage system (BESS) installations worldwide added up to 74 gigawatt-hours in 2023, up from 27 gigawatt-hours a year earlier.

What Are Battery Energy Storage Systems Used For?

Security Monitoring

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are used to support critical monitoring systems like security systems, smoke detectors, and even medical equipment. These systems require a reliable, uninterrupted power supply to function effectively, and that’s where battery storage comes in. 

For security systems, BESS ensures that surveillance cameras, alarms, and monitoring devices continue to operate even during a power outage. Since security systems are crucial for protecting businesses, having a backup power supply in the form of a battery is essential to avoid any downtime.

Medical Equipment

For medical equipment, especially in hospitals or for at-home patient care, reliable power is critical. BESS can store energy supplies and kick in during emergencies, providing a dependable energy source until regular power is restored.

Solar Energy

Imagine a sunny day when your solar panels are producing more energy than your house can use. Instead of letting that energy go to waste, a BESS allows you to store energy for use later—like when the sun goes down or clouds roll in. It’s the ultimate energy storage solution for ensuring you have a consistent power supply, even when your renewable energy sources aren’t producing at full capacity.

Electricity

On a large scale, BESS are used by utility companies to keep the grid running smoothly. When there’s too much energy being produced, say, during high winds or sunny days, the excess energy gets stored in these systems. Then, during peak hours when energy demand shoots up, the battery storage system releases its stored electricity back into the grid. This process not only prevents waste but also helps lower overall energy costs by providing electricity when it’s needed most. In emergency situations like a power outage, BESS can be lifesavers by ensuring backup energy supplies are available to keep everything running.

Why Are Lithium-Ion Batteries Used For Energy Storage Systems?

So, why do we love lithium-ion batteries for energy storage? Well, for starters, they have a high energy density, meaning they can pack a lot of power into a relatively small space. This makes them perfect for both residential and large scale battery storage applications. Another major plus is that they’re incredibly efficient at cycling energy—charging and discharging—without losing much of their capacity. That means they can store electricity and release it over and over again, making them a reliable choice for both short-term and long-term energy storage.

Lithium-ion batteries are also pretty versatile, able to handle both the short bursts of energy needed to smooth out fluctuations in electricity grids, as well as the longer, sustained output. 

Since they’re commonly used in everything from solar and wind energy systems to electric vehicles, their production has scaled up, making them more affordable.

Can You Recycle These Batteries?

Absolutely! And this is where we come in. While lithium-ion batteries are fantastic for storing energy, they do eventually reach the end of their lifecycle. But instead of ending up in a landfill, these batteries can—and should—be recycled. 

By recycling lithium-ion batteries used in energy storage systems, valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel can be recovered and reused to make new batteries. This not only reduces the environmental impact of mining for new resources but also keeps hazardous materials out of our ecosystems.

At Lithium Cycle, we specialise in recycling batteries from energy storage systems, ensuring that the life of your energy storage solution doesn’t end when the battery does.