‘Energy storage holds the key to providing clean energy for heating and powering the home and reducing carbon emissions’ Carlton Cummins, CTO and Co-Founder of clean technology company Aceleron explain how this will work.
As we transition away from natural gas and other fossil fuels, there is no question that we absolutely have to make better use of renewable energy. Using a battery energy storage system (BESS) combined with renewable technology such as solar means that it can be stored as electricity to provide space heating, hot water and power for every socket and appliance in the home. And, with sales of EVs steadily rising, this will also work to offset the power needed to charge the car(s) parked outside.
Initial installation costs
These systems can also be connected to the grid, enabling a home to store excess clean energy either for its own use or for selling onto the grid. The system can then recharge automatically during off-peak hours, capitalizing on cheaper tariffs. This setup creates a more flexible energy system and, over time, will allow the homeowner to recoup some of the initial installation costs.
The system can then recharge automatically during off-peak hours, capitalizing on cheaper tariffs
It will also contribute to an increased supply of renewable energy across the grid. The most promising thing about this setup is that we already have the technology and skills to make it happen. We have the battery technology, solar panels, electricians (to connect the system to the grid), and importantly, we have compliances and standards in place for smooth, safe integration.
Meeting increased demand
A particular drawback with boilers is their inability to ‘grow with the family’. If a home is extended - to accommodate a growing family, for instance, the boiler and/or water tank may need replacing (even if it’s relatively new) to meet increased demand.
The beauty of BESS is that it is often modular. If demand for power or energy capacity increases, it is possible to just add more batteries without the upheaval and waste of stripping everything out and starting again. Energy storage is also a cleantech force ‘multiplier’; if a property has other clean technology installed, such as heat pumps, the renewable energy stored in the batteries can also be used to power the heat pump - or other energy-efficient products.
| The power requirements of an average family home are only going to rise |
Renewable power sources
BESS provides the flexibility to capture and use as much available renewable energy from the grid and locally generated sources as possible but we are not yet in a position to install a system that can work independently everywhere.
Considering the rapid rise in technology used within the home and the increased demand for EVs, the power requirements of an average family home are only going to rise. This means that connection to the grid is still necessary for the majority - but BESS will allow for significantly reduced reliance on non-renewable power sources. With so much focus on this technology, we must not forget that battery waste is a very serious concern and consideration must be given to what will happen to a system or its parts when it no longer has a use in its current state.
Powering management components
Individual parts can be upgraded as technology advances and the components can be easily recycled
There are repairable, upgradeable products such as Aceleron’s Offgen which, with the proper care, updates and maintenance, can match the service life of solar PV. Individual parts can be upgraded as technology advances and the components that need replacing over time can be easily recycled.
The service engineer responsible for the system installation will therefore also be required to provide upkeep servicing - just like with existing boilers. This will involve preventative maintenance on power management components as well as updates to the management systems to course correct any performance trends. Of course, not every residential property will have the space or capacity to install an energy storage system for their own use so a more collaborative approach will be needed.
Battery-Based solution
In Spain for instance, solar communities are springing up, where groups of people are coming together to share the electricity generated on roofs. A battery-based solution allows everyone to participate and benefit from access to clean energy.
| A battery-based solution allows everyone to participate and benefit from access to clean energy |
What needs to happen now to make the transition? The first thing we need to address is the cost of these installations. Currently, the installation of a new boiler will cost £1,500 - £2,500 whereas a home energy storage system is likely to cost three to four times as much. This is where governments need to step in. Just as there used to be financial incentives for installing solar panels 15 years ago, now we need incentives in the form of grants, tax rebates, and cashback schemes. Government incentives are going to be absolutely crucial to encouraging people to take the plunge.
Energy storage products
Governments are more than aware that we have deadlines to hit our net zero goals and the only way for us to meet them is to find a way to store clean energy. The wind doesn’t blow all the time and the sun doesn’t shine at night and this isn’t going to change.
Homeowners also need to understand that there is a longer-term return on investment. Energy storage products with a longer operating life mean that a homeowner will continually reap the benefits over time. Longevity and reliability are how we will make the longer-lasting storage solutions a reality. It will take a while and there are still several hurdles to overcome before battery storage replaces boilers entirely but when we get there, global carbon emissions will plummet as domestic reliance on natural gas practically disappears.