Energy storage load following

What is a grid following energy storage system?

Grid following energy storage systems, also known as grid-tied or grid-dependent systems, are designed to sync with the existing power grid. These systems rely on the grid to maintain frequency and voltage stability. Essentially, they "follow" the grid’s lead.

What is a battery energy storage system?

A battery energy storage system (BESS) is an electrochemical device that charges from the grid or a power plant and then discharges that energy to provide electricity or other grid services when needed.

What is load following?

Load following is an operating strategy in which generators change their output to match changes in electric demand, or load. Batteries are used for load following because their output can be digitally controlled and therefore can respond to load changes with less stress than mechanical systems.

Why are batteries used for load following?

Batteries are used for load following because their output can be digitally controlled and therefore can respond to load changes with less stress than mechanical systems. Nearly 400 MW of battery storage capacity was used for load following in 2020.

What is the difference between rated power capacity and storage duration?

Rated power capacity is the total possible instantaneous discharge capability of a battery energy storage system (BESS), or the maximum rate of discharge it can achieve starting from a fully charged state. Storage duration, on the other hand, is the amount of time the BESS can discharge at its power capacity before depleting its energy capacity.

How do you quantify the energy storage potential of load control?

To continue the energy storage device analogy discussed in the introduction, one can quantify the storage potential of this type of load control by computing the maximum cumulative energy consumed before or after it would have been in steady state conditions.