What is a battery energy storage system?

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) stabilize the electrical grid, ensuring a steady flow of power to homes and businesses regardless of fluctuations from varied energy sources or other disruptions. However, fires at some BESS installations have caused concern in communities considering BESS as a method to support their grids.

Are batteries a viable energy storage technology?

Batteries have already proven to be a commercially viable energy storage technology. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) are modular systems that can be deployed in standard shipping containers.

How do utilities use batteries to improve grid reliability?

Utilities can also make use of batteries to improve grid reliability with services that support the transmission of electricity, known as ancillary services. One type of ancillary service is frequency regulation, which is the most common use case reported at least once for battery capacity.

What is battery arbitrage & how does it work?

Utilities now report that arbitrage is the primary use case for 10,487 MW of battery capacity, making it the most reported primary use. In arbitrage, utilities charge batteries by buying electricity during low-cost periods and then sell that electricity when electricity prices increase.

What happened at Gateway energy storage facility?

On May 15, 2024, Gateway Energy Storage Facility in San Diego, California, experienced a BESS fire with continued flare-ups for seven days following the fire. The facility held about 15,000 nickel manganese cobalt lithium-ion batteries.

How do utilities charge batteries?

In arbitrage, utilities charge batteries by buying electricity during low-cost periods and then sell that electricity when electricity prices increase. Utilities can also make use of batteries to improve grid reliability with services that support the transmission of electricity, known as ancillary services.