Uncovering the Truth: Storage Frequently Asked Questions
Who is National Grid Renewables?
National Grid Renewables develops renewable energy projects that power up America’s grid and ignite local economic growth.
Proudly farmer-founded with deep roots in the soil, we’re passionate about empowering landowners with new revenue streams while respecting the interests of surrounding landowners — all while supporting local communities and building out the renewable energy solutions needed to power a sustainable future.
We believe that a fair deal is good business. We develop projects that respect the land, respect the community, and respect workers all along the supply chain. And as a unique end-to-end partner — developing, constructing, owning, and operating projects — we’re accountable to deliver projects on-time and on-budget to drive collective success for all stakeholders.
We’re powering progress, together.
How does an energy storage system work?
Similar to charging a phone, energy storage systems efficiently and conveniently capture electricity so that it can be used when it is most needed.
A grid-connected battery storage system consists of batteries, racks for the batteries, inverters that convert DC energy to AC energy, communications equipment that allow control and monitoring of the batteries, and equipment that ensures the batteries can operate safely.
These components and battery systems are housed in specially engineered enclosures. Various types of energy storage have been used for over a century, and the oldest battery storage projects currently in operation have been serving the electrical grid for over a decade.
What are the components of battery energy storage system?
Battery energy storage systems are comprised of three main components:
- Batteries: These batteries are similar to the batteries used in cell phones and other electronics.
- Power Conversion System (PCS): The PCS converts electricity from alternating current (AC) used on the electric grid to direct current (DC) used within the battery system, and back.
- Controls: The last component in an energy storage system is a control system that actively monitors the entire system and directs energy entering and leaving the storage system.
Are battery storage systems recent technology?
There are many ways to store electricity, but the most common technology used over the last decade has been lithium-ion batteries. With higher efficiency and faster response capabilities, lithium-ion batteries are a valuable addition to the modern electric grid. These batteries have been used in consumer applications since the early 1990s.
How long does an energy storage facility remain operational?
Energy storage projects are expected to last well over 15 years, and advances in battery technology are increasing that useful lifespan, as well as expanding the storage capacity and energy density of batteries.
When is energy released from batteries?
Intelligent battery software uses algorithms to coordinate energy production, and computerized control systems are used to decide when to store energy or to release it to the grid. Energy is released from the battery storage system during times of peak demand, keeping costs down and electricity flowing.
Why are battery storage facilities often paired with wind and solar projects?
Storage helps stabilize the output from energy generators, including clean resources such as solar and wind.
Renewable generation depends on natural resources. Storage complements renewable resources by charging when solar or wind is producing more energy than the grid needs and releasing energy when the natural resource isn’t producing (such as at night when the sun isn’t shining). In this way, storage can “firm up” or fill the gaps when the natural fuels from the wind or sun aren’t producing electricity, making paired storage projects reliable sources of energy.
Why are some energy storage projects standalone facilities?
Standalone storage projects are useful for various reasons. They can capture excess energy from the grid and dispatch it later when energy is needed the most. They can also be used as a back-up or reserve resource that strengthens the grid to keep the power running during high-stress situations, which in turn gives power to critical functions like a hospital. They also provide energy in short spurts to maintain balance of supply and demand in the electric grid, which is increasingly important with more renewables coming online.
What does a battery storage facility look like?
- Battery storage facilities are rows of large enclosures, laid out in a neat grid and surrounded by fencing.
- Each enclosure is taller than a refrigerator and is roughly the same size of an outdoor garden shed.
- Each storage project area is between the size of a small parking lot up to the size of a large football field.
- For safety reasons, most high voltage cables are underground, meaning you will see little or no overhead cables.
What is it like to live near a battery storage facility?
Energy storage facilities are a low-impact development option for communities. With small footprints, no emissions, and minimal noise, energy storage systems are good neighbors. Post-construction, our team actively manages the facility to ensure it remains a safe, efficient, and unobtrusive neighbor.
How is the safety of energy storage technology maintained?
National Grid Renewables employs equipment providers and national, state, and local codes to ensure our systems can operate safely throughout the project’s lifespan. Our energy storage projects must meet rigorous codes and standards to be permitted to operate — just like any other part of the electric system.
Every battery technology that is installed on the electrical grid comes from a certified source. Every energy storage project integrated into our electrical grid must comply with national fire protection standards, which are frequently updated to incorporate the best practices for hazard mitigation tools and strategies.
Is a battery storage facility noisy?
If standing within three feet of a battery storage facility, you can expect to hear a low noise level similar to using a hair dryer, running a ceiling fan, blending a smoothie, or mowing a lawn. However, due to local zoning and siting requirements, the average distance between a storage facility and the nearest dwelling is approximately 100 feet. At that distance, the sound from a storage facility would drop to the sound of an air conditioner condenser at 15 feet away.
Will construction of a battery storage facility bring pollutants?
Battery storage facilities don’t produce hazardous waste, generate air or water emissions, burn fossil fuels, or cause environmental damage through resource extraction and transportation. Moreover, storage further enables the use of renewable energy — supporting the environmental benefits of these alternative green energy sources.
How is wildlife protected around storage project sites?
National Grid Renewables builds fencing around our sites to keep wildlife out of our storage yards.
Why is energy storage critical to the modern energy grid?
Energy storage projects help diversify our energy sources and keep our grid strong so we can keep the lights on in homes, businesses, and critical facilities like schools and hospitals.
We want to invest in our grid now, to provide stability for future generations of Americans. More specifically, battery storage projects provide the necessary infrastructure to balance supply and demand, ensuring a reliable and continuous power supply from intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar.
Battery storage technology ensures homes and businesses can be powered by energy sources on a continual basis.
- Cost competitiveness and affordability: Energy storage has experienced significant growth due to reductions in technology and installation costs. This positions energy storage as a highly cost-effective solution for enhancing the value of all energy sources.
- Peaking resource and grid support: Energy storage systems complement other forms of energy, filling in gaps and making our grid stronger overall. During hot summer days when air conditioning usage peaks, the sun is out, and solar energy can meet demands. However, when solar generation decreases in the evening hours, if demand remains high, energy storage systems can discharge stored energy to meet the heightened electricity demands. This capability enhances grid stability by providing reliable electricity precisely when it is most needed, reducing the need for expensive and less efficient generators.
- Integration into the energy mix: Energy storage is pivotal in the overall energy mix, particularly as states and utilities prioritize Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs). IRPs assess optimal strategies for reliably and affordably supplying electricity to consumers. With energy storage’s improving cost-effectiveness and reliability, more IRPs are incorporating these systems as key components to achieve energy goals efficiently. Energy storage enables the integration of higher levels of renewable energy into the grid by smoothing out variability and ensuring a consistent energy supply.
- Reliability and resilience: Energy storage systems are insulated from the economic volatility associated with fuel supply disruptions. By storing energy generated from renewable sources, these systems provide a stable and predictable energy supply that mitigates fuel price spikes or shortage risks. This stability enhances energy security and resilience within the utility’s generation portfolio, ensuring a continuous and reliable power supply during emergencies or grid disruptions.
- Environmental benefits: Energy storage systems contribute to environmental sustainability by enabling greater utilization of renewable energy sources. This reduces the energy sector’s overall carbon footprint, promoting cleaner air and a healthier environment.
How do battery storage projects generate economic value for communities?
- Local tax revenue: Battery storage projects generate economic growth throughout the project’s host communities, including new tax revenue.
- Creating jobs: Battery storage projects support and create jobs, particularly during the construction phase, and some ongoing jobs during project operations. Operational jobs are well-paying with good benefits, providing new opportunities for future generations to stay in the rural communities where they grew up.
- Stimulus to local economies: Battery storage projects also provide an influx of local spending in host communities. Foremost, storage projects require a significant workforce during construction. These construction workers spend money at local restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and other small businesses, creating a boost in income for small business owners and the local economy.
- Charitable community fund: We are proud to support rural communities. We pledge charitable funds to directly support our host communities during the development, construction, and operation phases of our projects.
- Enhancing grid resiliency: Battery storage resources can provide backup power during outages, thereby increasing the electrical grid’s resiliency to extreme events like natural disasters and other emergencies, particularly for critical infrastructure like hospitals, emergency services, and water treatment facilities.
By reducing peak demand and improving load management, battery storage can also defer or eliminate the need for costly transmission and distribution infrastructure upgrades. This can result in long-term savings for utilities and their customers, which is reflected in their monthly energy bills.
Finally, battery storage systems’ deployment, operation, and maintenance create local jobs and stimulate economic development. This includes construction, engineering, manufacturing, and ongoing technical and administrative support roles.
What is the construction process like for installing utility-scale battery storage?
Every energy storage project is unique, but the process includes the following:
- Site preparation: Workers will complete excavation and grading of the project site and foundation pad and import rock from a local rock quarry, while survey teams complete initial survey work.
- Foundation and underground work: Underground conduit and the ground grid are installed, and the foundation pads are formed by pouring concrete sourced from a local concrete batch plant. Backfilling of the site is done before installation of storage components.
- Installation of energy storage components: Delivery trucks bring shipping container-like boxes (called enclosures) and other electrical components necessary for an energy storage project (transformers, PCS/inverters, outdoor communications cabinets, outdoor rated electrical cabinets, cable & fiber reels, etc.). The construction team offloads and installs all equipment on the pad. An underground cable is also installed.
- Commissioning and testing: Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts testing of the battery storage system to ensure a safe, compliant, and efficient operation.
- Transfer to O&M: The energy storage project is handed off to the National Grid Renewables Operations & Maintenance (O&M) team.
Will construction of a battery project be disruptive to the surrounding community?
- Traffic and road use: The National Grid Renewables construction team works with local road commissioners and county engineers to establish a comprehensive road use and maintenance agreement. This establishes haul routes, current road conditions, and maintenance protocols to mitigate disruptions and minimize the impact on local infrastructure.
- Emergency response protocols: National Grid Renewables establishes emergency response protocols for all its sites and trains local fire departments and EMS prior to construction and operation. While a small portion of enclosure materials are flammable, these components alone cannot support a significant fire. As an extra precaution, fire safety measures are taken prior to, during, and after construction.
How are energy storage sites monitored and maintained?
Once operational, energy storage is monitored 24/7 by both human and automated systems. Occasional onsite visits are also required to ensure that the site is clean, well-maintained, and safe.
Our Remote Operations Center (ROC) monitors the battery storage project for any anomalies and remains in close contact with the site operators to increase reliable and efficient operations. If any anomaly (such as smoke, flammable gas, or excessive heat) is detected, the system will automatically shut down and activate a fire suppression system if needed.
What will the permanent operations team of a battery project look like?
National Grid Renewables’ Operations & Maintenance teams typically consist of a small number of full-time employees who work at the project site. Their responsibilities will include annual preventive maintenance, basic troubleshooting, warranty management, corrective maintenance, routine equipment inspections, and road and grounds maintenance, with inspections occurring regularly and as needed.
Is the battery project managed remotely?
The National Grid Renewables Remote Operations Center (ROC) serves as a centralized hub for monitoring, controlling, and managing the operations of renewable energy assets remotely. The ROC’s primary functions include:
- Performance monitoring and optimization through real-time data collection
- Fault and malfunction detection for rapid response and troubleshooting to minimize downtime and maximize energy generation
- Maintenance management and optimization
- Remote control of various aspects of the energy assets to meet grid demands
- Grid integration and power dispatch to meet demand while maintaining grid stability
- Maintaining security and regulatory compliance through robust physical security and cybersecurity measures
- In emergencies, such as extreme weather or grid disruptions, the ROC plays a crucial role in coordinating response efforts, implementing contingency plans, and restoring operations as quickly as possible
How is an energy storage project decommissioned?
If a project must be decommissioned, we begin by fully discharging and disconnecting the project from the grid. Much of the material (including Lithium) can be recycled.
We also test the environment and soil, but the site itself should not be altered, so there is no need for the lengthy cleanup process a coal plant requires.
Once we have disposed of the batteries and supporting electrical equipment, the site can be quickly repurposed for new energy developments, commercial projects, or agriculture — or it can be returned to its natural state.
Where can I learn more about renewable energy storage?
For additional questions about battery storage projects or National Grid Renewables, visit any one of our office locations, or call us at 952.988.9000. You can also email your questions and comments to [email protected], or continue to learn more about our storage projects.