what if you could...
Scale your charging capability beyond the capacity of the grid?
Owners of electric vehicles want to know that the energy powering their transport is coming from renewable sources. They also want to know that even in remote locations they'll be able to access clean, fast charging facilities.
But what if those remote locations don't have the support from the local grid to power EV charging?
ABB's BESS-as-a-Service decentralizes energy, enabling businesses to mitigate against grid constraints. With a BESS, you can ensure the quality, capacity and resilience of your energy supply, allowing you to power your charging network with 100% renewable energy, all without a costly grid upgrade or upfront capital expenditure.
Pay less for the energy you use?
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.
If you generate your own renewable power through solar panels or wind turbines, you can store excess energy to use when the sun doesn't shine or the wind doesn't blow, meaning you don't need to turn to expensive grid power to fill the gaps.
Add new revenue streams to your portfolio?
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 unlock revenue streams you might not have considered.
Thanks to its ability to augment underpowered grid connections, BESS-as-a-Service allows you to skip a costly upgrade to your infrastructure, and use battery storage to supply power to EV charging stations on your premises.
And with ABB's AI-powered energy arbitrage software from our partners at GridBeyond, you purchase energy when it's cheap – or even generate your own – and sell it back to the grid when demand, and prices, are high.
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 grid limitations: The strategic role of battery energy storage systems in eMobility
By Andressa Ferraz
Sustainability Advisory Services Leader for the EMEA region
The eMobility sector is growing rapidly, driven by increased adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and a global push for cleaner transportation solutions. This growth places significant pressure on existing energy infrastructure, necessitating innovative approaches to ensure grid stability, sustainability, and cost optimization. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have emerged as a critical component for supporting EV integration, reducing operational costs, and promoting environmental sustainability, says Andressa Ferraz, Sustainability Advisory Services Leader for the EMEA region.
Read more
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Outrun grid limitations: The strategic role of battery energy storage systems in eMobility
By Andressa Ferraz
Sustainability Advisory Services Leader for the EMEA region
The eMobility sector is growing rapidly, driven by increased adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and a global push for cleaner transportation solutions. This growth places significant pressure on existing energy infrastructure, necessitating innovative approaches to ensure grid stability, sustainability, and cost optimization. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have emerged as a critical component for supporting EV integration, reducing operational costs, and promoting environmental sustainability, says Andressa Ferraz, Sustainability Advisory Services Leader for the EMEA region.
Grid augmentation through BESS
As EV adoption increases, so does the demand for charging infrastructure. Sadly, many charging stations operate in areas where the grid connection cannot support this rising demand for energy. A BESS solution can alleviate stress on power grids by supplying stored energy during peak charging times, mitigating grid instability. This is particularly beneficial in urban areas where high EV adoption rates can strain existing infrastructure, and in more remote areas where grid connections and supply can be less reliable.
A BESS can also allow operators to reduce their reliance on the grid entirely, by supporting the use of on-site renewable energy generation. And while the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow, a BESS enables charging stations to store any unused energy from periods of over-production and deploy it when generation is less reliable. This helps operators reduce reliance on fossil fuels and supports the development of sustainable charging stations.
Cost optimization in eMobility
Charging station operators face significant demand charges during peak usage periods. A BESS allows operators to store cheaper energy during off-peak periods and utilize it during these high-demand times, effectively reducing or eliminating these charges. This strategy leads to significant cost savings and more predictable energy expenses.
If battery capacity allows, cheap energy can also be fed back into the grid when prices are higher, generating an extra profit line for EV charging networks.
These methods not only stabilize energy expenses but also enhance budget predictability, a critical factor for managing operational costs in EV charging networks.
Engineered for green energy
For customers using EVs, charging suppliers using renewable electricity will naturally have a competitive advantage. But renewable energy generation is not always 100% reliable.
By integrating BESS with renewable energy sources, EV charging stations can store excess power during periods of high generation, and utilize it when the sun is not shining. This reduces reliance on fossil-fuel-powered grids, minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes to cleaner transportation – all of which aligns with global net zero goals.
BESS also facilitates the development of off-grid or microgrid charging solutions, reducing dependence on centralized power sources. This enhances the resilience of eMobility infrastructure, ensuring reliable operations even in areas with unstable grid connections.
No up-front spending required
A common concern regarding the installation of a BESS is that it requires heavy investment upfront, and has a long tail when it comes to returning on your investment. For many businesses, implementing a BESS also requires specialist knowledge not present in their current workforce.
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.
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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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