While still a relatively new technology, commercial battery storage in Australia will have a major impact on how businesses manage their electricity costs in the years ahead. Commercial energy storage has been a fast growing segment in the U.S. and where the USA is going, Australia will likely follow. Perhaps even ultimately lead.
Why should Australian businesses consider energy storage?
The case for businesses to install battery storage at this point in time is primarily to reduce peak demand charges, shift mains grid electricity consumption profiles and to make the most of solar power.
Other potential benefits of commercial energy storage for businesses and/or utilities include:
- Energy arbitrage
- Resiliency and backup power
- Ensuring supply adequacy
- Transmission congestion relief
- Deferring transmission and distribution upgrades
- Participation in demand response programs
- Frequency regulation
- Reserve market participation
Contact us via our contact form to discover more about the commercial benefits of batteries for your business and get FREE commercial quotes for solar and batteries.
Battery systems make the most Of solar, slash demand charges
If a business is operating 9-5, five days a week, there are periods where any solar panel electricity that’s generated isn’t used. That then feeds to the grid for just a few cents per kWh. In some parts of Australia, this surplus electricity cannot feed to the grid and therefore essentially goes to waste.
This is energy that could be stored in batteries for use when electricity rates are sky-high at certain times of the day.
Another benefit is in shifting electricity consumption profiles. If energy in a battery is tapped during peak rate periods, there may be substantial savings to be had in terms of demand charges. This can account for a significant portion of a company’s annual electricity cost. For a significant number of Energy Matters’ commercial customers, demand charges can be up to 45-50% of electricity total costs.
Let’s look at a a recent example. In a recent case study of a large business using 2000 kWh /day, demand charge reduction of a modelled project (100 kW PV system, 210 kWh storage capacity) represented 95% of annual expected savings when considering their particular electricity tariff structure and usage profile.
Battery storage combined with solar helps businesses to maximise their use of self-generated and very cheap electricity. But even without solar panels, the use of a battery storage system can enable a company to use cheaper off peak grid power for charging. You can then use that stored energy at times when mains electricity supply is most expensive.
Interested in learning more? Contact our commercial battery storage and solar experts on 1800 EMATTERS (1800 362 883) or use our contact form.
What commercial battery solutions are available in Australia?
The choice of commercial energy storage battery systems depends somewhat on the size of the business.
A very small business or home office scenario can take advantage of residential battery solutions.
Medium-sized to large businesses could benefit from the commercial batteries available from our recommended brands.
Other potential applications for commercial solar battery storage systems
Commercial energy storage systems have other applications. A business may use commercial solar battery storage to sell services from their battery back to the electric grid.
Some of the services may include exporting power during high-peak periods when prices skyrocket. Organisations may also provide ancillary services. Even though they are not common yet, they may be more common soon. Ancillary services may be reactive power support or frequency support.
Another application for commercial solar battery storage systems may be for organisations that don’t want to upgrade or don’t have the budget to upgrade their infrastructure to service all their power needs from the grid.
Solar power as a starting point
Your company may not be ready to adopt a commercial-scale battery system. However, if you’re paying more than 15c per kWh for electricity (daytime rates) and have a suitable rooftop, then you are ready to start reaping the many financial and other benefits of solar power systems as a starting point.
In many cases, you don’t even have to purchase a system outright. With Power Purchase Agreements, loan options, and leasing available to eligible customers that involve zero up front capital outlay, your business can benefit from solar now. This can free up cash for battery storage or other business investments.
To discover more about the various options, subsidies and incentives available for installing commercial solar power, contact our experts on 1800 EMATTERS (1800 362 883) or use our contact form.
Getting commercial energy storage right
Commercial-scale battery storage can be a significant investment, and one that must serve your company well for a long time.
It’s crucial that a battery system’s design is to perform at its maximum efficiency in order to provide the best returns.
We recommend seeking at least 3 solar quotes to ensure that you are getting the best deal and selecting the right solar installer whom you can trust.
