7 tips: What you need to consider with energy storage offers

As energy costs for trade and industry are rising rapidly, commercial energy storage systems are becoming increasingly important for energy managers. The challenge of optimizing their own energy consumption is particularly important for companies that operate energy-intensively and have perhaps already invested in photovoltaic systems.

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However, selecting the right battery storage system is often associated with questions: Which key figures are really meaningful when comparing offers? How can you separate the wheat from the chaff? Even the &#;Battery Storage Test &#; compares apples with oranges &#; pv magazine Deutschland (pv-magazine.de).

With the following 7 tips, our guide not only offers you orientation in the decision-making process, but also debunks common misunderstandings and prepares you for typical pitfalls.

Important key figures for electricity storage systems and their significance

An efficient electricity storage system can mean the difference between inefficient energy waste and optimized use for a company. It makes it possible to store energy at times of low demand and make it available precisely when demand is at its highest. But not all energy storage systems are the same. Here are the key figures that really count:

Overall efficiency

A common misconception is that the efficiency of individual components reflects the overall performance of an energy storage system. However, the overall efficiency, which describes how much of the energy fed into the grid can ultimately be used, is the decisive factor.

Tip 1: Ask your provider explicitly about the overall efficiency and ask them to explain the processes and components involved.

Warranty conditions

Often a hidden cost. In the event of a warranty claim, it is important to know who is liable for the costs. In some cases, it may be the buyer and not the manufacturer who has to provide evidence. 
 
Tip 2: Find out exactly what the warranty conditions are and have them confirmed in writing. Pay attention to how defects must be proven and who is liable in the event of damage.

Price and included services

What appears transparent at first glance can be complex on closer inspection. Which technical systems are included in the price? An integrated energy management system (EMS) can be crucial for efficiency. Post-installation services, such as monitoring or user-friendly remote control of the electricity storage system, are also essential. 
 
Tip 3: Ask for a detailed cost estimate and have each item explained in detail. 

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

There are certain metrics that appear attractive at first, but on closer inspection do not reflect the actual benefits for your storage application. Therefore, always take the following sales arguments with a grain of salt.

LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy)

Originally intended for the comparison of PV systems, the LCOE has its pitfalls when it comes to electricity storage systems. This value can be misleading as it does not take into account the overall efficiency of the storage system (charging and discharging process). 
 
Tip 4: When comparing storage offers, focus on the overall efficiency and see the LCOE as additional information.

Number of cycles

Today, it is almost impossible to reliably determine the service life of a battery storage system based on the number of cycles. Although there are average estimates, these can vary too much depending on usage and environmental conditions. 
 
Tip 5: Pay more attention to the warranty conditions and try to transfer the risk of battery life to the manufacturer.

Efficiency

An often quoted but frequently misunderstood key figure. Be sure to ask which processes and components are considered. Efficiency only provides limited information about how efficiently a battery storage system really works. 
 
Tip 6: Always put efficiency figures in relation to overall efficiency.

Energy density

Gravimetric or volumetric energy density: Although these values may be of interest for certain storage applications, they usually play a subordinate role in commercial storage systems. 
 
Tip 7: Concentrate on the key figures relevant to your application and do not be dazzled by high energy density values. 

Final thoughts and conclusion

Purchasing a commercial energy storage system is a forward-looking decision. Thorough research and asking the right questions are essential. This guide is intended to give you an insight into the most important aspects and key figures. The tips mentioned will help you to identify the best product for your requirements and avoid potential pitfalls. An efficient energy storage system can make a significant contribution to reducing energy costs and enable more sustainable operational management. Investing in the right technology therefore pays off. 
 
Did you like this article? Find out how our technology makes commercial and industrial storage systems safer and more efficient. &#;> New architecture for electricity storage. 

As any utility will tell you, reliability is king.

Utilities across the country are facing growing demand as folks move into cities and towns&#;and the use of electric vehicles continues to expand. Right now, utilities face a herculean task of meeting increasing demand from the electrification of the manufacturing and energy sectors, reinforced by the proliferation of electric vehicles.

This electrification comes at a time when the electric grid is increasingly distributed and renewable-driven, creating a challenge for utilities that are deeply committed to continuing to provide reliable, cost-effective electricity to their customers.

The deployment of new technologies has a critical role to play in continuing to sustainably and cost-effectively deliver that reliability. Enter: energy storage, with or without solar PV, the &#;Swiss Army knife&#; of solutions.

As utilities evaluate partners to meet growing demand&#;it is important to ask key questions that will help you select the right folks to support the energy transition. Below are 15 key questions to ask your utility-scale energy storage or solar-plus-storage partner.

Qualifying Your Energy Storage or Solar-Plus-Storage Partner: Key Questions to Ask

If you&#;re committed to solar-plus-storage and looking to get the system online safely, efficiently, and expediently, ask your developer about their experience with energy storage. Unlike solar, which has become plug-and-play, energy storage is more complex. Solar expertise does not directly translate to energy storage expertise, full stop. Put another way, many people know how to develop solar&#;few players have deep energy storage expertise.

Permission granted by Convergent Energy and Power, photographer Craig Schattner

Questions to ask your developer to validate their energy storage expertise:

1. How much energy storage do you have online? Under contract?

2. Do you have energy storage expertise at multiple scales? Are all your systems over 100MW?

3. Who are your current customers?

4. How long have you been operating energy storage systems?

5. How have those systems performed?

6. Do you have proprietary energy storage intelligence?

7. Do you typically sell your projects to another developer?

8. What type of energy storage applications are in your portfolio?

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9. How has your company navigated supply chain constraints?

10. How does (waiting on) financing impact your ability to deliver on schedule?

Expediting Your Energy Storage or Solar-Plus-Storage System: Additional Questions to Ask

Once your utility has decided to move forward on an energy storage or solar-plus-storage system, one of the first things to consider, before selecting a development partner is where to put it.

In some cases, utilities will have space for an energy storage system at their substations. This is an ideal situation. However, this is not always an option. Naturally, solar requires much more space than energy storage, which can influence which options are available. This is especially relevant in locations that are more land-constrained, including cities and towns.

Securing land in advance allows your development partner to more easily meet any deadlines you have established than a development partner that does not have access to land (and may not be able to secure a strategic location).

Questions to ask your developer to understand their preparedness and ability to expediently deliver a shovel-ready system:

1. Have you secured land for your proposed system? Is it near our substations and feeders?

2. Does the land maximize the value of the recently available Investment Tax Credit incentives?

3. How flexible is your offering if load growth exceeds current projections?

4. What experience do you have working directly with community boards to get projects approved? How did it go?

5. How will you address any potential supply chain issues to meet the project timeline?

Conclusion: Do Your Research

Not all energy storage and solar-plus-storage partners are equally prepared to meet your community&#;s needs. Asking these 15 questions, along with any others that are specific to your utility, will help you evaluate the right partner for your next project.

Permission granted by Convergent Energy and Power, photographer Craig Schattner

Energy Storage Adds Value Immediately: Start the Conversation Today!

Energy storage is necessary for our power system; it&#;s the key to a more reliable, flexible, and sustainable grid. If you&#;re interested in learning more about how energy storage (with or without solar PV) can benefit your utility, please contact the experts at Convergent Energy and Power (Convergent) today for a free, customized evaluation.

Convergent, a leading developer of energy storage solutions in North America, has been in the energy storage industry since its infancy, more than a decade ago. Throughout that time, they&#;ve gained experience and expertise, working closely with utilities to take the hassle out of energy storage by building, owning, and operating systems on their behalf.

Learn more about Convergent and its commitment to building an energy landscape that is less expensive, more reliable, and increasingly sustainable.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Commercial Energy Storage(rm,pt,sv). Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.