Energy storage as a tool to work more sustainable and emission free

5 minutes reading time

06-11-2018 EDITED

In permits and tenders for construction work and events they more and more ask for it: to work clean, silent and sustainable. At first glance this looks like a challenge in places where there's no, or not enough, power. However, the solution becomes available on an ever-increasing scale: batteries for energy storage. These batteries can be combined with solar energy, the grid or standard generators. This way you are assured of power, while you can work silently, barely emit CO2 and can meet strict environmental requirements.

Mobile energy storage in batteries is usually associated with solar panels. After all, they produce a surplus of energy during the day, but no electricity is supplied at night while electricity is needed. "This was the starting point for Bredenoord to think about the storage of sustainable energy," says manager new business Margien Storm van Leeuwen. "From our Clear Concept philosophy we look at what goes in the generator and how we can make this more sustainable. This is why we researched the link with solar panels and a battery. In practice, the combination of a battery and a generator alone has resulted in a huge progress in sustainability. This is also interesting from a circular point of view: for example, traditional diesel generators can be given a longer life in a responsible manner."

Optimal efficiency with the storage of sustainable energy and a generator
This is how it works. You can use energy storage as a primary energy source at construction sites, at events and during road work, for example. The battery provides most of the energy that is needed. The generator only turns on when there is a peak demand in power, or if the battery is almost empty. It then runs for a short time at full power as this means: as efficiently as possible. An analysis shows that users often adjust their generators to the maximum peak demand, and then they run at a partial load of 30% or less, most of the time. When generators run this way, the internal combustion engine is not economical, because generators run at a constant rPM. By operating the unit at nominal power for a short time, the yield skyrockets.

Sustainable combinations
Energy storage in combination with a generator is a quick win, but there are more options. Energy from batteries can also be used in combination with the fixed power grid or with solar panels . For example at events where the regular electrical grid is not sufficient to run all stages, or at construction sites where a tower crane, for example, occasionally has a power demand that exceeds the grid capacity. A battery charged with green or renewable energy also ensures that you work more sustainably, even if you do have access to 'gray' electricity. Smart combinations with multiple elements are also possible. For example, solar panels where the electricity is stored in batteries and the grid or an aggregate acts as a backup. This creates a three-stage rocket: first the energy demand is met with the use of renewable energy, then a battery steps in and lastly the grid or an aggregate. Smart operating systems can regulate this fully automatically.

The right battery in the right situation
Batteries for energy storage are appearing at more and more construction sites and events, but the technology is constantly changing. There are many different types of batteries, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Storm van Leeuwen: "There is no 'one size fits all' for the time being. Some batteries are suitable for fast charging, for example Li-ion batteries. However, those are temperature-sensitive, so you have to make sure they are cooled well. It differs per customer what they need and what the circumstances are. We have knowledge of the entire range of battery solutions and are happy to provide tailor-made advice." Until recently, the transportation of large battery packs was also a challenge. Bredenoord developed a patented technology that consists of a smart combination of anchoring in the container with batteries and on the truck. This means that energy storage is now also available for temporary projects with large electricity demand at changing locations.

Storing electricity saves half a million liters of diesel
For construction sites, road works and for example access systems at events, the ESaver and the Smart Power Bank are now a tried and tested concept. The distinctive blue case contains batteries for storage and a smart operating system. The ESaver is linked to a standard aggregate of 15, 35 or 50 kVA. The system is ideal for situations with varying power demands. For example, power for a complete construction shack with computers during the day, and limited energy for surveillance cameras and lighting at night. The operating system can arrange this in such a way that the supply of electricity in the battery is sufficient at night and the generator doesn't need to be turned on. This means less nuisance for the surroundings. The Smart Power Bank, energy storage for customers who want permanent access to energy storage batteries, works with the same techniques. ESavers are also equipped with online monitoring that shows real-time savings in fuel and CO2 emissions. These data show that all customers together have saved more than half a million liters of diesel and 2 million tons of CO2 in five years time.

Big Battery Box: large mobile energy storage
To meet the energy demand of larger projects, Bredenoord recently developed the Big Battery Box. This autonomous container with Li-ion batteries has a capacity of 600 kWh. The container is equipped with an operating system and cooling, and can charge and discharge within an hour. The Big Battery Box can store power from solar panels and wind turbines, and can be charged via the grid. This makes it possible to provide projects with mobile power silently and without any emission. In combination with one or more aggregates, it forms a redundant solution with absolute security of energy.

Emergency power pools and Frequency Containment Reserve
Battery storage in larger capacities like through the Big Battery Box is, in addition to simply storage and delivery during projects, also suitable for more technical applications. For example, Frequency Containment Reserve (R1): contributing to grid stabilization by delivering or receiving power. If supply and demand on the electricity grid become strongly out of balance, extra energy must become available or be absorbed quickly to restore balance. Alternating current has a frequency of 50 Hertz (fifty changes per second), to which equipment is tuned. If there is a shortage of energy, the frequency decreases and with an excess of energy it rises. This could unfortunatly cause clock radios to become ahead or behind in time, for example. The installation can also be part of emergency power pools (R3) if there is an absolute demand for energy. The Big Battery Box offers an ideal combination for this: the installation can easily supply and store power via the same connection.

Peakshaving and energy trading
Energy storage can also be used to absorb peaks in your own energy consumption. The Big Battery Box can help if the grid or an aggregate has insufficient capacity, or ensure a constant balance in energy consumption. This ensures reliable electricity, for example on construction sites where a lot of large equipment is used in a short time, or during events. But you can also look at highs and lows more broadly: those on the energy market. With the stored energy on one or more Big Battery Boxes, business in electricity (R2) can also be done. The user stores power when prices are low, and sells the power when the prices have increased.

Energy storage to create 100% sustainable mobile and temporary power
Storage of energy is one of the most important techniques in the energy transition. "Working with batteries is booming, but we are only at the start," says Storm van Leeuwen. "The technology of energy storage has developed so quickly that we can now make a profitable offer. But if you look at true pricing, energy storage is certainly the technology of the future. You reduce the use of fossil fuel, reduce the environmental impact and you can work more circularly. Catching up with the developments in energy storage now, provides a win-win situation. You make your corporation socially responsible, also clearly visible to customers and stakeholders, while you can save on operational costs.''

An overview of mobile energy storage Suitable for:

Projects with varying or low power demand, for example construction sites and monitoring of those sites

Better use of energy from renewable sources in changing locations
Local energy generation: a battery for all solar panel owners in a neighborhood
Temporary energy during maintenance (ESaver) or grid takeover (Big Battery Box)
Grid stabilization in cooperation with the grid operator (Frequency Containment Reserve)
Peakshaving
Part of a Smart Grid
Emergency power pools
Energy trade

Added value of Bredenoord solutions: