A battery storage system temporarily stores electrical energy to make it available again at a later time. It typically consists of one or more battery modules, a battery management system, and an inverter that converts electricity between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). Battery storage systems are often used in combination with photovoltaic (PV) systems but can also play a role in other contexts such as industry or e-mobility. Battery storage is used in a wide range of applications – from private households to industrial facilities. This article focuses on industrial applications, where battery storage plays a central role in modern energy management strategies. These systems help to make better use of renewable energy, optimize load flows, and reduce energy costs.
Battery storage systems are no longer a technology of the future – they are already playing a key role in modern energy strategies. The share of renewable energy in the electricity mix is continuously increasing, but its generation is dependent on weather conditions and time of day. During times of high energy production, not all electricity can be consumed, while at other times there is not enough energy available. These fluctuations cause significant price volatility on electricity markets. It is therefore increasingly important to store electricity when it is available in large quantities and at favorable conditions. According to a study by the Institute of Energy Economics at the University of Cologne, volatility on the spot market will rise – an environment in which flexible storage solutions are becoming increasingly important.
Especially in the face of volatile energy prices and fluctuating renewable generation, a battery storage system enables greater independence and flexibility.
A battery storage system is particularly useful when:
There are different types of battery storage systems:
The choice of battery storage depends on the specific use case, budget, and technical requirements.
Whether a battery storage system is worthwhile in a specific case depends on several factors: electricity consumption, load profile, PV output, feed-in tariffs, and the self-consumption ratio. A battery simulation can provide well-founded insights into these questions. It delivers important key figures for economic viability and system sizing and serves as a sound decision-making basis.
A high-quality battery simulation takes dynamic influencing factors into account – such as fluctuating load curves, future electricity prices, or variable feed-in tariffs. Modern tools also allow the simulation of different scenarios (e.g. PV system expansion or planned production increases). This gives companies a realistic assessment of whether a battery storage system is economically viable – and how large it should be.
A battery storage system is a sustainable solution for companies that want to store electricity efficiently, optimize self-consumption, processes for efficiency optimization to support and reduce energy costs. Depending on the application and requirements, different system types offer specific benefits. Companies that aim to operate more autonomously and sustainably in the long term should consider investing in a battery storage system – ideally based on a reliable battery simulation.
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