News: The Delhi power minister inaugurated a 20-MW battery energy storage system (BESS) at Kilokari, said to be the “largest” in South Asia. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
About Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
- Battery storage, or battery energy storage systems (BESS), are devices that enable energy from renewables, like solar and wind, to be stored and then released when the power is needed most.
- Working: Batteries receive electricity from the power grid, straight from the power station, or from a renewable energy source like solar panels or other energy source, and subsequently store it as current to then release it when it is needed.
- Need: The National Electricity Plan 2023 estimates that 236 GWh BESS would be required by 2031-32.
- Main components:
- Batteries: Store electrical energy (most commonly lithium-ion).
- Power Conversion System (PCS): Converts DC electricity from batteries to AC for use on the grid, and vice versa.
- Battery Management System (BMS): Monitors and controls battery performance, health, and safety.
- Energy Management System (EMS): Coordinates the operation of all components for optimal performance.
- Types of batteries used in BESS
- Lithium-ion batteries: Most widely used for BESS, especially in residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications. Their pros include high energy density, long cycle life (up to 20 years), fast charge/discharge, scalable.
- Lead-acid batteries: Traditional and cost-effective; commonly used for off-grid and backup power. Their pros include low cost, widely available, recyclable.
- Sodium-ion batteries: Emerging technology with potential for large-scale storage. Their pros include lower cost than lithium-ion, better safety, similar power delivery, can operate at higher temperatures.
- Zinc-air batteries: Use oxygen from the air as a reactant. Their pros include high theoretical energy density, lower cost materials.
- Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries: Durable and robust but less common due to environmental concerns. Their pros include long life, reliable in extreme conditions.
- Flow batteries: Use liquid electrolytes (e.g., vanadium redox flow battery). Their pros include long lifespan (up to 25 years), highly scalable, safer with non-flammable electrolytes, suitable for long-duration storage.
Key Government Initiatives and Policies
- Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): The scheme envisages development of 4,000 MWh of BESS projects by 2030-31.
- Budgetary support for enabling infrastructure for Pumped Storage Projects.
- National Energy Storage Mission (NESM): It aims to make India a global hub .
- PLI Scheme: A ₹18,100 crore production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for advanced cell chemistry battery manufacturing.
- Green Finance: Sovereign Green Bonds may be used for funding green infrastructure and reducing the carbon intensity of the economy.
- Guidelines for Resource Adequacy Plan: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has released a Long-term National Resource Adequacy Plan (LT-NRAP) estimating the storage requirement at the national level for the next 10 years.
- Connectivity and Grid Access: Connectivity of ESS to nearest Inter State Transmission (ISTS) may be granted on priority basis.
- Storage Capacity with future Renewable Generations: The new RE projects (excluding Hydro Projects) with an installed capacity of over 5 MW may be mandated to install ESS (of at least 1 hour storage) for minimum 5% of the RE capacity.
