Page 4 - Understanding energy storage batteries

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Guarantee of supply – stability

The next most common reason we hear for wanting to utilise energy storage batteries is for power security.
Many people purchase solar arrays and /or add energy storage batteries to an existing system in the belief that
this will protect themselves against power outages.

However, solar arrays on their own won't do this as they are disconnected when the power goes out to make
sure no power inadvertently gets transferred back into the grid to cause problems with anyone working on the
lines. The same applies to some batteries. To continue to have power when the grid goes down you need to
have a battery that is capable of and configured to be able to work independently from the grid.

Violent storms are becoming more common and are being made worse by climate change as the world heats up
and weather patterns change. Windy winter weather tends to bring trees down on power lines, cutting off your
power supply. For many people the need to protect themselves from power outages is becoming a more and
more common occurrence and it is not unusual for it to take days for the power to be reconnected, particularly
if you are not on a main line and other lines take priority.

Sometimes people lose power due to storm damage to power lines but often it is power being cut off by power
companies so that they can do maintenance on the lines.

Off-grid installations

Up until now most people that have used batteries to store their energy have been those that have been in
situations where it was not possible, either for economical or proximity reasons to connect to the electricity
grid. These people have mostly used lead acid batteries which are definitely a tested technology but it does have
a number of limitations, mainly in terms of maintenance, temperature control and limited depth of discharge.

These people , who are often classified as early adopters, are now looking at new battery technologies that are
more reliable and require less maintenance than traditional lead acid batteries.

UPS requirements

There are a number of situations, both domestic but also for business where people must have an uninterrupted
power supply. This may be for medical reasons where people have to have machinery running at all times. This
may be a CPAP machine to help people breathe while they sleep or it may be a dialysis machine or ventilator.

There are a number of business situations where continual power supply is critical and is often supplied by
generators. Reliable batteries are a perfect solution for these situations. These may be where electronic
equipment is required like banks or telecommunication industries or it may be hospitals or supermarkets.

Protection of the environment

For many people the main reason for installing batteries is to reduce reliance on coal powered energy
generation to protect the environment for future generations. It's about making the world a more equitable
place for all, humans, plants and animals alike.

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