Published January 12, 2025

What Kind of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Do You Need?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are essential for efficient and sustainable energy management. This guide covers types of BESS—diesel, HVO, and hydrogen-powered—along with key considerations like load characteristics, storage capacity, power factor, and emissions. Choose the right system to meet your energy needs and environmental goals.

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Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are becoming essential in modern energy solutions, providing efficient, scalable, and sustainable power. Whether you're managing a small residential setup or overseeing a large-scale industrial operation, the type of BESS you choose depends on your specific energy needs. In this article, we'll explore various types of BESS, the factors to consider when selecting a system.

Different Types of BESS
When choosing a BESS, it's important to understand the energy types available:

1. Diesel-Powered BESS: Diesel generators combined with battery storage provide reliable backup power, particularly in areas with limited access to renewable energy. However, they have higher emissions and maintenance costs.

2. HVO-Powered BESS: Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) offers a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to diesel. It’s a renewable fuel that reduces emissions and provides reliable backup energy, making it a great option for eco-conscious projects.

3. Hydrogen-Powered BESS: Hydrogen storage systems are emerging as a clean alternative, converting hydrogen into electricity via fuel cells. They are ideal for long-duration storage and large-scale applications but come with higher infrastructure and operational costs.

Check out our deep dive on the different types of BESS here.

Key Considerations for Choosing a BESS
Before selecting a BESS, it’s important to assess your load characteristics and power requirements. Here are a few factors to guide your decision:

1. Understanding Your Load and Load Characteristics

  • IT vs Non-IT Loads: IT loads, such as servers, require uninterrupted, stable power with minimal fluctuations. Non-IT loads, like high-output lighting, HVAC and cooling systems can handle brief interruptions but still need reliable power.
  • Power Factor: The power factor (PF) represents the efficiency of energy usage. A PF of 1.0 means all energy is being effectively used, but most industrial loads range from 0.8 to 0.9. This impacts the total kVA required.

2. Volts and Amps per Phase

Understanding your system's voltage and amperage is key:

  • Voltage: Industrial setups typically run at 400V or 480V for heavy equipment, while residential systems use 230V.
  • Amps per Phase: In three-phase systems, common in industrial use for efficiency, calculating amperage per phase ensures consistent and reliable power delivery.

3. Energy Storage Capacity

Think about the amount of storage you need:

  • kWh (kilowatt-hours) represents the energy storage capacity.
  • kW indicates the power that can be supplied at any moment.

If your energy requirements fluctuate or you need a system for backup during peak demand times, understanding both kW and kWh will help determine the optimal system size.

4. kW to kVA Conversion

The conversion from kW (kilowatts) to kVA (kilovolt-amperes) depends on your system's power factor. The formula is:

kVA  =  kw/Power Factor

For example, if you have a 30 kW load with a power factor of 0.85, the required kVA would be approximately 35.3 kVA.

Learn more about kVA and why it’s important here.

Use our kVA Calculator here.

5. Energy Emissions
When choosing a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), it's important to consider the emissions from the backup power source. Diesel generators release more harmful pollutants and cost more to run, while HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) generators are cleaner, better for the environment, and more fuel-efficient. Hydrogen generators produce the least pollution, only releasing water vapour. Choosing the right BESS helps reduce fuel costs, use less fossil fuel, and lower your environmental impact.

In Summary
Choosing the right BESS depends on your power needs, energy source, and environmental goals. Diesel generators are reliable but costly and polluting, while HVO and hydrogen systems offer cleaner, more sustainable options. Consider load characteristics, voltage, storage capacity, and power factor to find the best fit. 

Contact Us
Ready to protect your power solutions?
Reach out to Patrick Deegan, a key expert at authorised POWR2 dealer Armorum Ltd, to discover how POWR2 BESS systems can meet your industrial, commercial, or construction energy needs.

📞 Call Pat on +353 1 6637509

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