As more companies begin to implement large-scale renewable energy projects into their facilities and the grid, questions concerning power storage have surfaced.
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Unless it is used almost immediately, most electricity disappears shortly after it is generated, forcing grid operators to engage in a constant balancing act of supply and demand. And when the scales tip toward scarcity, electricity prices spike – a misfortune that occurs most often on hot days when we use a lot of air conditioning or when a storm causes infrastructure damage.
Fortunately, better batteries and other smart energy technologies have begun stepping up to the plate, offering a solution to the power storage predicament. Today, energy storage systems make up roughly 2% of U.S. generation capacity, and that number is expected to surge over the next decade.
Power with a plan
One success story is taking place in San Francisco. Powertree Services Inc., a private owner-operator of integrated solar photovoltaic generation, electric vehicle (EV) charging and grid interactive energy storage, and Panasonic Eco Solutions are working together to build 68 EV charging stations at multi-unit residential properties across the city.
To be as environmentally friendly and cost-efficient as possible, the charging stations will not only be solar powered, but – you guessed it – they'll incorporate battery storage.
When complete, the installations will provide high-power charging to vehicles, ancillary services to the utility to support the grid, solar power to tenants and supplemental power to surrounding buildings. Talk about a green solution.
By implementing multiple renewable energy components, Powertree's energy storage solution is providing a host of benefits for San Francisco residents:
- Stability. Unfortunately, renewable energy sources, like traditional electric power, can cause instability with fluctuations in the power they produce. Energy storage systems act as a stabilizer for intermittent renewable assets and will play a critical role in the low-carbon society of the future.
- Scalability. Comprising storage batteries and control units to manage charging and discharging, storage systems are suitable for a variety of applications. No matter what type of installation, there is a storage system available.
- A reliable resource. Power from the storage system can be used as a backup energy source in the event of a power outage. When an outage occurs, battery storage systems operate as a power supply to bridge the operation of critical systems until the power returns or a backup generator starts.
- A clean companion. By simply storing and recycling electricity, energy storage systems have no direct emissions. In addition, renewable energy storage lightens the load of fossil fuel generation, further reducing emissions.
- Savings. Energy storage systems help facilitate solar savings even further, lowering the overall cost of providing electricity and helping customers avoid premium pricing during peak demand.
- A forward-facing solution. Energy storage shifts energy consumption forward. With storage batteries, the use of solar and other intermittent resources is maximized for optimal energy management.
Owners of multifamily and mixed-use buildings now face rising demand from tenants and new regulations to integrate renewable energy solutions into their properties. Powertree and Panasonic's unique model demonstrates a solution that has turned a potentially burdensome situation into new value. Through collaboration, cities across the U.S. can have access to clean, cost-effective and reliable energy. That's something to feel bright about.
Jamie Evans is managing director and head of U.S. Eco Solutions for Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Co., a unit company of Panasonic North America. Contact Panasonic Eco Solutions at ecosolutions@us.panasonic.com.
