Sustainable energy is becoming more and more normal in the UK and across the globe. Battery storage is one of the ways we can be more careful and considerate about how we use our energy usage while also enjoying a range of benefits.
Battery units are growing in popularity for homeowners and businesses wanting to take more control of their energy. With a storage system for your home or workplace, you can benefit from greater energy independence, monthly savings on your bills, a reduced carbon footprint and more.
In this article, we’ll explore these benefits so you can think about jumping into battery storage and start reaping some great rewards on your investment.
What is battery storage?
Battery units store electrical energy from solar panels, wind turbines or the grid so it can be used on demand. This is seen as a sustainable energy method because there’s less waste and less strain on the grid to produce energy.
Batteries come in all shapes and sizes from small units suitable for residential properties to large-scale battery systems capable of powering whole commercial buildings.
How does battery storage work?
Battery storage converts electrical energy into chemical energy, stored in a rechargeable unit, usually made from a compound like lithium-ion. When you need power, it gets converted back into electrical energy for use. The unit is controlled by a number of features that limit its voltage, capacity, temperature and more. This helps to optimise the battery’s lifespan and performance.
What are the benefits of battery storage?
- Increase your energy independence
- Save money every month
- Improve the grid’s stability
- Get more out of your renewable system
- Reduce your carbon footprint
Increase your energy independence
One of the biggest inconveniences of the modern era is being without power. None of us like it when a blackout hits and we’re shocked to find our phones at 20% in the morning. Perhaps you run a business that needs 24/7 power for certain appliances. What happens when the power suddenly goes out and you can’t operate?
Grid reliance means you’re always at the mercy of the grid going down during emergency weather conditions, unplanned or even scheduled grid downtime. Battery storage gives you peace of mind that your property will always have power – giving you extra security against unforeseen outages.
You can choose to live completely off-grid or only use a battery when it’s convenient to do so. This could be during emergencies, to supplement additional demand or just to store excess solar energy.
Save money every month
One of the main reasons we see people install battery units is because they want to reduce their energy bills. Energy prices will increase depending on demand – when everybody wants to use it, it goes up. These are called ‘peak energy’ times or ‘time-of-use’ (TOU) tariffs.
With a battery system, you can purchase grid energy when it’s cheaper, store it and then use it during peak times. This can reduce your monthly outgoings on electricity. You can even sell your excess solar energy back to the grid to earn money.
These savings will add up over time and help to recover your battery’s return on investment faster.
Improve the grid’s stability
Unless you intend to go completely off-grid, you’ll still need to use the grid sometimes for your energy. A battery system can help balance the grid’s supply and demand, making it more stable and reliable. With less strain, the grid can operate for longer without an unexpected shortage, preventing blackouts.
Get more out of your renewable system
Battery units are a great way to get more out of your PV system and many of our solar panel customers choose to install them because of this.
With battery storage, you can store excess energy generated by your solar panels during the day and use it in the evenings and nighttimes. This expands the effective time your solar panels are useful to you instead of just during daylight hours.
Additionally, you can install an electric vehicle charger that’s connected to your battery and solar PV system for even greater returns. This way, your whole home can benefit from renewable energy with much less grid dependence.
Reduce your carbon footprint
We should do everything in our power to protect our planet for future generations. That’s why we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint wherever possible – even if it seems like it’s not a big change.
By using a battery system, you’re disincentivising energy companies from using fossil fuels to keep up with the increasing power demands of everyday consumers like you and me. Energy is also typically more expensive and resource-heavy to produce during the day so your system can help reduce this strain by charging overnight and using energy during the day.
Are you interested in a battery installation?
Battery storage is a smart investment for a range of people. Whether you’re a homeowner who wants to reduce costs or a business that wants to get ahead of the net-zero curve, there are good reasons why you’d want to install one.
Get in contact with us if you’re ready to take the next step in your residential or commercial battery storage journey.
