What Challenges Do Large-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems Need To Face In The Development Of Renewable Energy?

Image: UK Power Networks

Many countries and regions have put carbon neutrality at the top of their agenda, aiming to peak carbon dioxide emissions by mid-century.

To increase the energy output of intermittent renewable energy sources, battery energy storage systems are needed to efficiently store energy and use it for power generation or other purposes. While limited capacity and high cost have been major barriers to scaling up battery energy storage applications, recent technological advances and falling costs in renewable energy and battery capacity have also brought new potential.

One such breakthrough is large-scale battery energy storage systems, which can commercially store large amounts of electricity generated by renewable energy generation.

Such systems have gradually become a more viable option for supporting renewable energy development, and are expected to replace traditional technologies such as thermal power generation and pumped hydro power generation. Next, we will talk about the challenges that battery energy storage systems will face in the development of renewable energy in the future.

However, developing countries face many challenges in deploying grid-connected battery energy storage systems. One of the main challenges is that current electricity laws and regulations are not sufficient to support battery energy storage plants as independent market players to provide ancillary services.

Therefore, due to the lack of proper regulations, private companies may need to go through lengthy procedures and negotiate with government agencies on charging and discharging rates and business licenses if they want to build battery energy storage plants. For the private sector, this can be a significant barrier to entry.

As a temporary solution, some countries and regions have introduced relevant laws and regulations to allow transmission companies responsible for maintaining grid reliability to operate battery storage plants. In Italy, the independent transmission company Terna, responsible for the country's transmission system, operates a 35-megawatt battery-storage plant to address transmission congestion, mainly caused by renewable power plants.

Large-scale battery storage systems are a promising technology that can increase the share of renewable energy available to the grid and energy consumers.

Another major challenge is the rapid development of battery technology. Battery energy storage power stations can choose appropriate battery technology to achieve expected benefits such as grid stability and load transfer. Some technologies are capable of generating high power, while others are capable of storing large amounts of electrical energy. But the problem is that the best technology today may not be the best next year due to intense competition and rapid advances in battery technology.

Therefore, locking in technology at the tender stage may disqualify a potentially excellent technology from the competition at the time of bid evaluation. One countermeasure is to specify performance requirements, such as charge-discharge capacity and two-way efficiency, without specifying specifications. This will enable the battery energy storage power station project to effectively realize the expected benefits without missing a suitable battery technology solution.

The third challenge is battery recycling. Used batteries from battery energy storage power plants need to be recycled or properly handled and disposed of. However, in many developing countries, due to the lack of relevant recycling facilities, battery suppliers are often responsible for recycling or disposal.

No supplier can avoid the risk of going bankrupt before the end of a battery's life, so it is best for project countries to build domestic recycling facilities as a permanent solution. In the same way, to promote the development of battery energy storage power stations, it is also necessary to strengthen the environmental supervision of waste batteries.

The fourth challenge is a fire risk. Batteries are a fire and explosion hazard and require a well-designed fire protection system. In addition, power plant operators need to develop and adhere to the appropriate battery operating practices guidelines to reduce the risk of fire from overcharging or over-discharging battery modules during power plant operation.

The last major challenge is the lack of experience in operating battery storage systems.

In addition, battery modules have a shorter lifespan than traditional facilities such as transformers, so we need to carefully plan the replacement of battery modules, including planning the source of funds, and the relevant guidelines for the power station owner.

Reducing reliance on fossil fuels requires innovative solutions to climate change. Large-scale battery storage systems are a promising technology that can increase the share of renewable energy available to the grid and energy consumers. The lithium battery energy storage system designed and manufactured by RENON responds to the development trend of clean energy.

As an experienced manufacturer of lithium battery products, RENON has independent research and development capabilities and is committed to providing users with safe, lightweight, and long-lasting green energy products. We take the needs of customers first, and constantly adjust and optimize the design plan. We are also equipped with a professional manufacturing team and a strict quality inspection system, which can control the quality of the products in an all-round way. If you want to know more about related services, please contact us immediately!

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