Commercial battery storage systems play a critical role in managing the demands of electric vehicle (EV) charging by addressing power capacity limitations, reducing costs, and enhancing operational flexibility. Here’s how they help:
Managing Grid Demand and Avoiding Upgrades
- EV charging stations, especially fast chargers, require high bursts of power that can exceed onsite electrical capacity or maximum import capacity (MIC) from the grid, potentially causing overloads or necessitating costly grid upgrades.
- Battery energy storage systems (BESS) store energy during periods of low demand or lower-cost electricity and then discharge it during peak EV charging times, a strategy known as peak shaving. This reduces the maximum power drawn from the grid at any one time, mitigating overload risk and postponing or avoiding expensive electrical infrastructure upgrades.
- By smoothing out demand spikes, BESS enable sites with constrained grid connections to meet higher EV charging loads without exceeding their power limits.
Cost Savings and Energy Efficiency
- Using stored energy to supplement grid power during peak hours can significantly reduce demand charges on utility bills, which are based on peak power usage, thus lowering overall operating costs.
- Some battery systems integrate with renewable energy sources like solar panels, storing surplus solar power during the day to supply EV chargers at night or during cloudy weather, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based grid power.
- Intelligent energy management systems (EMS) control when and how batteries charge and discharge to optimize cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency across the site.
Increased Charging Capacity and Flexibility
- Battery storage can effectively increase the available power capacity for EV charging beyond what the grid connection alone can support. For example, commercial systems like HyperCube Pro claim to enhance charging capacity by 40-80%, allowing more EVs to charge simultaneously without upgrading transformers or grid connections.
- This increased capacity makes it possible to “over-equip” charging stations within the same power infrastructure limits, supporting higher throughput and faster charging.
Reliability and Resiliency
- In addition to load management, BESS can provide backup power during grid outages, keeping critical EV charging infrastructure operational, which is vital for fleet operations requiring continuous availability.
- When integrated into microgrids, battery systems contribute to overall energy resilience, further supporting business continuity.
Additional Benefits
- Some systems offer opportunities to participate in grid ancillary services, such as frequency regulation, potentially creating additional revenue streams when batteries are not actively supporting EV charging.
- Modular and scalable battery solutions facilitate rapid deployment of EV charging hubs without waiting for lengthy and expensive grid upgrades.
Summary Table of Benefits
| Benefit | How Battery Storage Helps |
|---|---|
| Avoid costly grid upgrades | Peak shaving reduces maximum grid draw, lowers infrastructure needs |
| Reduce operating costs | Lowers demand charges by shifting energy use to off-peak times |
| Increase charging capacity | Adds power buffer, allowing more simultaneous charging sessions |
| Enhance energy efficiency | Stores renewable energy and optimizes use with EMS software |
| Improve reliability and resiliency | Provides backup during outages and supports microgrid operation |
| Enable new revenue streams | Participates in grid ancillary services during idle times |
In essence, commercial battery storage systems enable EV charging sites to handle high and variable power demands cost-effectively and reliably, making large-scale EV charging infrastructure more feasible and sustainable.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-commercial-battery-storage-systems-help-manage-ev-charging-demands/
