Summary: The U.S. Electric Production Industry has been hiring these great new employees lately. They all have the same last name: BESS. They have this ability to extend the production of the least expensive electric-source (photovoltaics, although these like to be called “PV”) to cover the typical peak demand period (early-evening) even though the sun has pretty-much gone away.
Although the above talent is extremely valuable, we have discovered they have other talents that may be even more valuable, for instance:
Storing the output of wind generation and using it when there is little or no wind.
Allowing highly efficient fueled generation (cogeneration units) to run at full capacity (their output for maximum efficiency) and storing any over-generation for later use.
Responding when shut down to sudden loss of capacity from generation and/or transmission loss with their full capacity within seconds to minutes.
Storing the output of “flow-based” renewables (geothermal or hydroelectricity) to be used in emergencies or for the best economics.
Speaking of economics, these employees don’t require any additional salary for fuel, although there are some losses when charging and discharging. Furthermore, there are some new employees coming on board in the future that require less capital for a given storage capacity, and/or will work for longer before retirement. Of course, they are not human, but since they are technology-based they are always improving their performance and lowering their salary requirements. What employer wouldn’t love these BESS-employees.
