Extended Life
Optimising to extend lifetime savings
The use of renewable energy to power homes and businesses is one way to decarbonise the use of heat, light and transportation. Installing Solar panels on roofs is a great use of space that can be utilised for solar energy production.
The installation of solar pv also can extend the life of a roof as it reduces the exposure to the elements and increases the maintenance process, where inspections may not occur for many years. Using the large space that is available on a roof whether it is pitched, flat, tiled or slated means that energy can be provided by solar. This solar energy can be stored in batteries to ensure that the house or business becomes more energy independent.
This will be critical in the future to reduce the load on the grid infrastructure and create micro-generation to enable residential and business owners to power electric cars and vans. When using solar panels and battery storage it is also important to optimise the energy storage correctly. This is done by using an energy management system that finds the optimum time and state of charge to store the energy created by the sun.
Energy management systems
1. Efficient Charging and Discharging
Avoiding Overcharging/Over Discharging: EMS ensures the battery operates within safe voltage and current limits, preventing damage from overcharging or deep discharges, which can degrade the battery.
State of Charge (SOC) Management: By maintaining an optimal SOC range (e.g., 20%-80% for lithium-ion batteries), the EMS reduces stress on the battery, extending its cycle life.
2. Thermal Management
Temperature Regulation: High or low temperatures can significantly impact battery health. An EMS monitors and controls the thermal environment, ensuring the battery operates within an optimal temperature range.
3. Load Balancing
Avoiding Power Spikes: EMS smooths out sudden power demands and surges by distributing loads efficiently. This reduces strain on the battery and minimizes wear on its components.
4. Charge Rate Optimization
Slow Charging When Possible: High charging rates generate more heat and stress the battery. EMS can prioritize slower charging when the power grid or renewable energy sources allow, preserving battery health.
5. Preventing Idle Degradation
Avoiding Prolonged Full/Empty States: Keeping a battery fully charged or completely discharged for extended periods accelerates degradation. EMS actively monitors and adjusts storage levels to prevent these conditions.
6. Predictive Maintenance
Monitoring Battery Health: EMS tracks parameters like capacity, internal resistance, and charge cycles to detect signs of degradation early. It can prompt maintenance or recalibration before failures occur.
7. Integration with Renewable Energy Sources
Optimizing Renewable Input: By intelligently managing when and how energy from sources like solar or wind is stored and used, the EMS minimizes cycles that unnecessarily stress the battery.
8. Smart Energy Distribution
Demand Response: An EMS can prioritize energy use from the battery for high-demand periods and switch to grid power or renewables when demand is lower, reducing excessive cycling.
9. Extending Battery Redundancy
Intelligent Redundancy Management: In systems with multiple batteries, EMS can rotate usage across batteries to ensure even wear, rather than overusing a single unit.
By leveraging these strategies, an EMS not only maximizes the efficiency and reliability of a battery storage system but also significantly extends its operational lifespan, ensuring better ROI and sustainability.