Case study: Using batteries to reduce the impact of grid maintenance

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Ben Schultz

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Ben is an Australian freelance writer who owns and operates Deluxe Copywriting, whose clients have included such names as WorkFusion and Comparitech. He has previously written for the US-based...

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Oct 18, 2019 11:46 am GMT
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We often talk about how using batteries deflects the load on the electrical grid, but a new case study shows just exactly how the numbers stack up by using empirical data.

Case study: Using batteries to reduce the impact of grid maintenance

Batteries are increasingly widely used in grid balancing, but there are many more applications where a battery can play an important role. With electric grids requiring periodic maintenance, batteries can stand in for the grid during downtime in order to

Source: www.energy-storage.news

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Matt Chester on Oct 18, 2019 1:09 pm GMT

The inefficient use of generators means that a great deal of diesel is being burned unnecessarily. These emissions contribute to climate change and poor air quality in cities

These downsides are noteworthy, but I think the people/organizations who are employing them at their events/sites have already made the decision that these aren't factors, and rather they are focused (reasonably so) on reliability and price. The big pivot point in energy storage will come in the not too distant future when battery tech turns the corner and will be seen simply as the more effective option.

Bob Meinetz on Nov 14, 2019 4:26 am GMT

"...batteries can stand in for the grid during downtime..."

No Ben, batteries cannot "stand in for the grid," and never will.

Batteries can shave some of the peaks in demand from diesel generators, which stand in for small areas of the distribution grid - if lightning strikes a power pole in a neighborhood, for example.

Another attempt to greenwash both diesel fuel, and the natural gas being used to charge grid-scale batteries (they don't charge themselves).

Ben Schultz on Oct 21, 2019 6:44 pm GMT

I should say that, while I didn't write this article (I merely shared it), I do feel a disclaimer or slight rephrasing would've been good. I certainly didn't perceive the quote to include the entire distribution grid (even for short times), but I can see your point.

Matt Chester on Oct 21, 2019 9:30 pm GMT

I'd argue that most discussions of storage on the grid aren't supposed to suggest a grid run entirely on storage for any appreciable amount of time, that's not where we are today (though the misconception should be squashed in popular media all the same). Rather, the storage can stand in partially during maintenance or outages, provide load smoothing, etc. It's a tool to add to the grid, obviously not a replacement.

Ben Schultz on Oct 22, 2019 6:14 pm GMT

Yes, that's certainly the impression I got. I've been called out for using shorthand or generic terms before, so I've continued to make sure I'm clearer and make more citations where necessary.

Bob Meinetz on Oct 30, 2019 4:08 pm GMT

Matt, I wouldn't be so fastidious about the usefulness of battery storage for powering a grid, if meeting California's climate goals with renewables wasn't 100% dependent on it.

Every model I've seen for achieving 100% carbon-free generation here in California, by 2045, relies on the leap of faith we'll have enough batteries, and solar panels to charge them, to provide 20 billion watts of power throughout any night when the wind isn't blowing. There is no math which can show this scenario is remotely plasible or affordable - and that's the point.

Dr. Amal Khashab on Oct 20, 2019 7:46 pm GMT

I think this is pure theoritical assumption trying to magnify storage battery capability. Actually ther is hibred diesel generator set with renwable and backed up with battery. Have you justify it monewise? Thanks in advance.

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