Location: Speakers Corner, Booth #11024, Level 1, Venetian Expo Hall
Utility scale battery energy storage will be a critical path to address the variability of solar and wind generation. Consequently, BESS integration is becoming exceedingly common for new and existing photovoltaic systems. BESS projects follow an iterative design based on the complexity of the project site’s physical constraints, design standards, and customer preferences. Key design decisions can serve to optimize these systems to reduce project costs, improve constructability, and ensure efficient electrical designs. One of the main components of design is the physical configuration of the BESS. Systems including batteries or transformers integrated with Power Conversion Systems (PCS) can significantly optimize the system design through reductions in the quantity of circuits, trenches, and foundations as well as the need for additional working clearances. Selecting specific BESS models that cater to site conditions and available area is also critical to consider early in the design phase to ensure project target capacities are being met. Raceway design (e.g., direct bury vs conduit vs cable tray) also has significant impacts on site constructability and costs. Manufacturers are beginning to produce above ground raceway options that integrate with BESS units while construction teams often prefer to install conduits. Finally, most BESS products require significant auxiliary loads due to HVAC demand. Some BESS sites require the auxiliary power distribution system to be fed from a separate feeder from the substation while others utilize taps or terminations from the power equipment on-site (e.g., inverters and transformers). Design decisions such as integrated BESS equipment, raceway design, and auxiliary power topology play a vital role in delivering a cost-effective and constructable BESS project which can have significant benefits for both developers and the utility. A variety of BESS projects designed by Flux Energy Systems will illustrate the benefits and disadvantages of the aforementioned design methods.
