Battery Energy Storage Systems by Monbat – the Affordable Way to Achieve Energy Independence in the Household or Small Business

Bozhidar Nekeziev, Commercial Director, Industrial Batteries Division, Monbat Ltd.:

“Monbat wants to continue with its sustainable commercial strategy in offering flexible industrial solutions in the market segment of battery energy storage systems. The main market advantage of the systems will be the high degree of adaptability in terms of increasing the capacity of the systems for domestic and industrial users – with both lithium-ion and lead-acid battery modules.”

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are emerging as an integral part of renewable energy solutions, complementing and increasing their impact at all scales of the sector, from households to industrial power generation. According to a study by Solar Power Europe (1), the projections in the different scenarios (“low”/“medium”/“high”) are for installed BSSE capacities with a total capacity of 5.6/7.2/9 GWh in Europe respectively. LUT University (2) forecasts a total installed capacity of 1600 GWh and a share of 24% in the total European electricity consumption by 2050.

Putting consumers (households and businesses) in an active position in the future of energy systems changes the philosophy of electricity generation, distribution and consumption from a clear linear ‘producer-distributor-consumer’ relationship to an open system with complex and synergistic complementary roles and functions. The European energy policy foresees to create opportunities for the electricity consumers, allowing them to make the most of technical and technological developments by building integrated systems (RES + BSSE) and, in the next stage, become the “backbone” of electricity supply systems, providing a high share of self-generated electricity as well as a reliable potential to cover grid deficits in peak timeframes and crisis situations.

The participation of households in this system represents a significant challenge, but at the same time – an opportunity to balance national electricity systems. The increasing share of installed photovoltaic systems and their low coverage by BSSE do not allow to increase the consumption share of electricity generated by own PV systems (between 20 and 35% on average). However, this share in the BESS-scenario (depending on the system installed and the consumption pattern) can vary between 60 and 90%. In other words, households and businesses that are provided with integrated systems can generate and consume more than half or almost all of their electricity demand. Therefore, one of the most important current priorities is to secure a critical mass of installed capacity of BESS.

As one of the leading industrial batteries manufacturers, Monbat is developing and preparing for the market a range of different BESS to meet the energy storage needs of households and small businesses. These systems use both traditional, well-established lead-acid VRLA batteries, as well as lithium-ion LRF battery technology that has become established in recent years.

Monbat envisages entering the market with hybrid systems, putting the provision of energy independence for the customers as a priority and allowing them to form an own microgrid. A review of the market situation and the attitudes of potential customers shows that currently the main incentives for installing the system are (a) the possibility to optimize consumption and power bills through an integrated RES + BSSE system, (b) the provision of uninterruptible power supply for a sufficient period in emergency situations (that can be provided even only by BSSE) and (c) stabilization of voltage drop (also possible with BSSE alone).

At market launch, Monbat will offer several product lines for domestic and industrial customers. Domestic customers will be able to choose between options for outdoor or indoor installation, configured with lead acid or lithium batteries. The minimum configuration of the domestic application is 1P/5kW/18kWh/230VAC for both versions and the maximum is 3P/30kW/400VAC. All systems have a built-in MPPT controller with a power range of 4.5-27 kW. The installed capacity allows modular addition based on battery racks for indoor- and by adding cabinets for outdoor-installation. An automatic transfer switch (ATS) module can be added to each system if two AC sources are available.

For industrial solutions, the modular concept also takes the lead, with batteries and equipment securely installed in a 20 ft. container and featuring a monitoring and control system for the batteries and active equipment that is rated up to 160 kW and up to 580 kWh capacity. The topology is battery module bidirectional power converter and transformer (optional), 400 VAC output for base version. Comparable to the systems for domestic consumers, industry modules can be added in parallel to reaching the requested parameters.

(1)European Market Outlook for Residential Battery Storage 2020-2024. Solar Power Europe, 2019

(2)Researchers agree: The world can reach a 100% renewable energy system before 2050. LUT University Finnland, 2022, https://www.lut.fi/en/news/researchers-agree-world-can-reach-100-renewable-energy-system-2050

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