what if you could...
Accelerate your energy transition goals?
Renewable energy can sometimes be unreliable – the sun doesn't always shine, and the wind doesn't always blow.
BESS-as-a-Service allows you to store excess energy from solar or wind generation and use it later, enhancing the quality, capacity and resilience of renewable supply, and reducing your reliance on carbon-heavy grid power.
It also helps lower carbon emissions by using cleaner energy during peak demand times, and by replacing fossil fuel generators with clean backup power.
You can meet sustainability and ESG goals through improved energy efficiency by reducing emissions and supporting renewable energy use. Businesses can showcase their commitment to sustainability and track progress through data from the included energy management platform.
Trade energy back to the grid?
As well as the benefits of more reliable power and empowering a shift to 100% renewable energy, ABB's BESS-as-a-Service also allows you to engage in energy trading, or arbitrage.
Whether you generate your own power through renewable sources, or simply purchase energy when it's cheap and sell it back to the grid when demand is high, you can unlock a new revenue stream with BESS.
And with ABB's as-a-service solution, you'll also get access to AI-powered software that can automatically handle the storage and trading of energy to maximize ROI.
Lower costs by managing peak energy demand?
Depending on the time of day and the grid that you're on, it's very common to have peak energy rates much higher than the off peak rate.
In these cases, you can use the battery to charge at the lower rates and discharge at the higher rates, saving a significant amount of money.
Do all this with no capital expenditure?
ABB Electrification Service’s unique as-a-service model means that you can power your possibilities, thanks to a BESS solution, with no upfront capital expenditure. All the hardware, software, and support services are included in the as-a-service package.
We take care of the design of the system, the installation and commissioning including capital works, and even the ongoing maintenance of the system.
To find out more, request an obligation-free feasibility assessment.
You can,
with BESS-as-a-Service from ABB
engineered to outrun
engineered to outrun
engineered to outrun
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Outrun poor energy performance: Leveraging battery energy storage systems in the commercial buildings sector
By Andressa Ferraz
Sustainability Advisory Services Leader for the EMEA region
Commercial buildings are facing growing energy demands and rising operational costs, driven by increased usage and fluctuating electricity prices. These challenges make efficient energy management essential for building operators. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) offer a strategic solution to reduce expenses, enhance energy reliability, and improve environmental performance, positioning commercial buildings for a decarbonized future, says Andressa Ferraz, Sustainability Advisory Services Leader for the EMEA region.
Read more
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Outrun poor energy performance: Leveraging battery energy storage systems in the commercial buildings sector
By Andressa Ferraz
Sustainability Advisory Services Leader for the EMEA region
Commercial buildings are facing growing energy demands and rising operational costs, driven by increased usage and fluctuating electricity prices. These challenges make efficient energy management essential for building operators. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) offer a strategic solution to reduce expenses, enhance energy reliability, and improve environmental performance, positioning commercial buildings for a decarbonized future, says Andressa Ferraz, Sustainability Advisory Services Leader for the EMEA region.
Peak operational efficiency and performance
A BESS implementation can help commercial building operators optimize their costs and boost profitability in two main ways – by reducing the amount paid for the energy used by the building, and by providing a way for operators to turn power into profit.
Volatility in energy prices can make predicting costs difficult, but with a BESS, commercial buildings can store energy during off-peak hours when rates are lower and utilize it during peak demand periods. This approach reduces demand charges, leading to significant cost savings and minimized reliance on expensive grid power.
If battery capacity allows, cheap energy can also be fed back into the grid when prices are higher, generating a profit line for commercial building operators.
These methods not only stabilize energy expenses but also enhance budget predictability, a critical factor for managing operational costs in commercial properties.
Prove your net zero commitment and gain a competitive advantage
With customers demanding that suppliers prove their green credentials, and regulators expecting measurable progress toward a net zero future, it’s vital that commercial building operators can prove they are working on decarbonization efforts.
Combining BESS with on-site renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, allows commercial buildings to store excess energy for later use. This integration reduces dependence on fossil fuels, lowers the building’s carbon footprint, and supports broader sustainability goals.
Adopting BESS also helps buildings meet energy efficiency standards and achieve certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Enhanced sustainability profiles can attract environmentally conscious tenants and investors, providing a competitive edge in the commercial real estate market.
Prioritize operational investment over capital costs
A common concern regarding the installation of a BESS is that it requires heavy investment upfront, has a long tail when it comes to returning on your investment, and, for businesses whose expertise does not lie in electrical infrastructure, requires too much specialist knowledge to maintain.
But with ABB’s unique BESS-as-a-Service model, all of those concerns can be put aside. Thanks to this model, implementing a BESS on your site is possible with no up-front capital expenditure. In addition, the planning, installation and ongoing maintenance of the equipment is handled by ABB – your single point of contact for all aspects of the implementation. You’ll also get access to management software that allows you to monitor the system from a single screen. Thanks to the savings possible with energy management, many of our customers see a positive financial return from day one.
Book an obligation-free feasibility assessment
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Take control of your energy
A guide to BESS-as-a-Service for Facilities and Operations Managers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)?
A battery energy storage system, or BESS, is an onsite solution for energy storage. You can use the battery to store energy purchased from the grid, or energy that you have generated on your own premises. This energy can then be used to smooth out unreliable grid supply, bolster inadequate supply, or act as back-up in the event of total grid failure.
As well as being used for electricity storage, a BESS allows you to engage in energy arbitrage and peak shaving to make the most out of your energy use, and turn power into profit.
Precise battery capacity and chemistry is determined by customer need – ABB will work with you to determine your requirements and deliver a BESS solution that will help you meet all your objectives.
What is energy arbitrage?
Energy arbitrage is the practice of purchasing energy when it is cheap, and selling it back to the grid when the prices are higher.
Businesses that generate their own energy, through solar panels or wind turbines for example, can also choose to sell excess energy back to the grid.
The most efficient way of generating income from energy arbitrage is to use automated software that tracks prices and capacity and programmatically trades energy when the rewards are largest.
What is peak shaving?
Peak shaving is the practice of purchasing energy when rates are low – at night, for example – and storing it in a battery for use when the prices are higher.
The practice empowers businesses to optimise their energy use and reduce their overall operation costs.
What is power smoothing?
The supply of power from electrical grids can sometimes be unreliable, especially when that power is provided via renewable methods. Power smoothing, or grid smoothing, is a practice that uses battery energy storage systems (BESS) to mitigate the problems of variable outputs from the grid.
BESS systems sit between your grid connection and the consumption of power, and use stored energy to smooth out the differences in output so that your equipment receives an uninterrupted, reliable energy supply.
What is the capacity of the battery?
The specifications of the battery you use will be defined by your need. ABB's BESS-as-a-Service solution includes a comprehensive analysis of your business objectives, energy use, and future expansion plans.
ABB guarantees that the useable capacity of your battery will meet your requirements for the life of the battery – even taking into account the natural degradation of battery capacity over time. That means if you need 5MW for 10 years, your battery will be designed to deliver that capacity for the whole life of the system.
How is it possible to get a BESS without any up-front capital expenditure?
ABB's BESS-as-a-Service uses a unique financing model that means there is no up-front capital expenditure required. Instead, the system is paid for using a predictable subscription plan, allowing you to build it into your ongoing operational expenditure.
You can find out more about the financing model in our guide for finance teams.
How do I know if BESS-as-a-Service is right for me?
To find out more about ABB's BESS-as-a-Service offer, and how it can help you take control of energy, request an obligation-free feasibility assessment.
Request an obligation-free feasibility assessment
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