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Why Should You Invest In Battery Storage?

The world is steadily moving towards renewable energy sources, and for good reason. The Climate Change Act 2008 saw the UK committing by law to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. According to the National Grid in the 12 months to April 2024, 40.6% of the UK's energy mix was from renewable energy sources, with wind being the highest contributor at 29.7%.


Despite this promising shift the transition comes with a significant challenge. Solar panels generate power only when the sun is out, and wind turbines produce electricity only when it's windy. It is estimated that between October 2022 and January 2023, the UK wasted enough wind energy to power 1.2 million homes. Battery storage can address this issue by storing surplus energy for times when production is low.



What is battery storage?


Battery storage systems have three main components: the battery, which stores the energy; the inverter, which converts DC power to AC power; and the control system, which manages the energy flow. Battery storage entails capturing surplus energy produced by renewable sources like solar panels and wind turbines and storing it in batteries so it can be used at times of low production or increased pressure on the grid.


However, this doesn't mean you need to have your own renewable energy source. You can in fact combine battery storage with smart energy tariffs.


A quick look at overnight tariffs


Overnight tariffs often leverage higher levels of renewable energy, making them a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option for consumers.


  1. Wind Power Generation: Wind turbines often generate more electricity at night due to stronger and more consistent winds. This means that a larger portion of the electricity available during off-peak nighttime hours can come from wind power.

  2. Grid Management: Energy grids can better balance supply and demand by using renewable energy sources like wind power overnight. Since demand is lower at night, integrating renewable energy into the grid becomes easier and more efficient.

  3. Off-Peak Utilisation: By encouraging the use of electricity during off-peak hours through cheaper overnight tariffs, energy providers can maximise the use of renewable energy produced during these times, further reducing reliance on fossil fuels.



So what are the benefits of battery storage?


  1. Saving money on your bills: It is estimated that a home battery system combined with an overnight tariff can help you save up to 50% on your electricity bills. If you also have a renewable energy source like solar power, these savings can soar to as much as 80%.

  2. Renewable sources: By combining your battery with overnight tariffs, home renewable sources, or a mix of both, you can increase your usage of renewable energy while minimizing the waste of surplus energy. This means you are doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint.

  3. Grid Reliability: By storing excess energy when demand is low and supplying it when demand is high, battery storage helps maintain a stable and reliable electricity grid, preventing blackouts.

  4. Make money by selling back to the grid: In early 2020, the UK government launched the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). This allows you to sell any excess renewable energy you generate back to the grid, earning you some extra cash. And even better, GivEnergy has a similar program that doesn't require renewable energy sources. All you need is a battery to participate.

  5. Backup power supply just in case: Power outages that are all too frequent around Dorset in our opinion are another good reason for having a home battery. You can rest assured knowing that even if the grid goes down you will still have backup.



So if you think home battery storage might be for you then get in touch with us here at Evoflo to discuss how we can help.

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