What are battery energy storage systems?

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are industrial battery units which support the UK’s transition to renewable energy.

“Battery storage technology has a key part to play in ensuring homes and businesses can be powered by green energy, even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind has stopped blowing.

For example, the UK has the largest installed capacity of offshore wind in the world, but the ability to capture this energy and purposefully deploy it can increase the value of this clean energy; by increasing production and potentially reducing costs.”

— National Grid

BESS support the energy network by:

  • Enabling the integration of renewable energy. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are intermittent in nature as their generation is not available all the time. BESS charge when energy is abundant for periods when it is scarce, helping to balance the network, manage constraints in local areas, and make the most out of renewable energy.

  • Helping to manage the imbalances in supply and demand of electricity – especially as we move to greener energy generation.

  • Providing specific services to help maintain the resilience and stability of the grid.

  • Assisting a stable, resilient, and lower emissions electricity network.