Small Scale Energy Storage

The number of small PV systems is already considerable and increases strongly around the world. Most of the generated electricity is not consumed instantly. Still, it is fed into the electricity grid or is lost in the case of an off-grid PV system without energy storage. This excess electricity is generated for use at a later stage.

The injection into the grid introduces challenges for grid operators and energy companies, as they must maintain a stable grid and adjust their electricity supply accordingly. Therefore, they are penalising the PV owners for the amount of electricity they inject. This temporary excess of electricity could also be stored in-house with a small battery to prevent the penalty and become self-sufficient.

The implementation of renewable energy increases the risk of power shortages or shutdowns. Big users are/could be (temporarily) disconnected from the electricity grid whenever the grid operators have to. This often results in problems for companies, such as shutting down production lines.

This could be prevented if an appropriate battery is integrated, providing power in case of a backup. A part of the battery could also be used to store electricity when the price is low and supply it whenever the price is high.

Net congestion makes it difficult to obtain a high-power connection to the grid, restricting companies and people from using devices that require high power. A rapid and straightforward solution is the integration of an Arkimedes high-output power battery. This battery can be charged (for example, overnight) via the low-power connection and provide the preferred high-output power whenever needed.

“Small” batteries can also become economically beneficial if you don’t own a PV system. You can obtain cheap electricity by storing energy from the grid (charging the battery) when the price is low (often during midday) and discharging the battery whenever the electricity price exceeds a certain threshold. This way, you can always have cheap electricity. The stored electricity could also be traded to obtain a profit, in addition to personal consumption. The fact that batteries are becoming more affordable and the increase in the battery’s lifetime will result in larger profits.