Batteries are the fastest-growing storage tool from the clean flexibility toolkit, which include other key storage solutions such as pumped hydro.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) ensure cheap renewable electricity is not wasted by storing it in periods of abundance and delivering it when supply is scarce. This smooths price swings in electricity markets, and reduces the need for expensive fossil power back up. Batteries can also rapidly absorb or inject power into the grid to provide ancillary services such as regulating frequency and voltage to help maintain power quality and prevent blackouts. Small, behind-the-meter batteries owned by residential or commercial consumers and the batteries powering electric vehicles can be connected in virtual power plants – digitally controlled to act together as a large power plant – to stabilise power grids, while earning financial benefits to their owners.