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Household Energy Storage System

Five difficulties and challenges of Household Energy Storage

Hoousehould Energy Storage system

The structure of household Energy Storage system includes batteries, inverters and other equipment. At present, products in the industry are independent of each other, which is easy to cause a variety of problems on final using, mainly including: complex system installation, difficult operation and maintenance, and battery’s low using efficiency and low protection levels.

  • Integrated system cause complex installation :
    • Most users hope to use it as “Household Appliances”, which puts forward higher requirements for system installation. At present, the complex and time-consuming on-site installation of residential energy storage has become the biggest problem for some users.There are two kinds of energy storage system for household use in the market: low-voltage system and high-voltage system.
    • Low-voltage Energy Storage system is with 40~60V battery, which is connected to the inverter after several batteries are connected in parallel. Through the isolated DC-DC inside the inverter, it is coupled with the DC output of photovoltaic MPPT at the BUS, and finally the energy is converted into alternating current through the inverter output and connected to the grid. Some inverters have backup output function.
    • Low-voltage system have the following main problems to cause long time installation and high cost: ①The inverter and battery are independently dispersed and very heavy, which is difficult on installation; ②The connection wire between inverter and battery connection is not standardized and need the on-site processing.
    • High-voltage Energy Storage system adopts a two-stage architecture, in which several battery modules are output in series through the high-voltage control box, and the voltage range is generally 85~600V. The output of the battery cluster is connected to the inverter, and the DC-DC unit inside the inverter is coupled with the DC output of the photovoltaic MPPT at the BUS, and finally converted into alternating current through the inverter output and connected to the grid. Some inverters are equipped with backup output function.
    • What is the main problen with the high-voltage system?One side,in order to avoid the direct series use of different batches of battery modules, it is necessary to do a good job in the production, shipment, warehouse, installation of strict batch management, which requires the investment of a lot of manpower and material resources, and the process will be very complicated, but also bring trouble to the customer stock. On the other hand,the difference between modules will be widened due to the self-consumption and capacity attenuation of the battery. Generally, the system needs to be checked before installation. If the difference between modules is large, manual power supplement is required, which is time-consuming and labor-consuming.
  • The loss of system battery’s capacity because of module differences.Due to differences in cells,some batteries cannot be fully charged/discharged for a long time, resulting in partial capacity loss of the battery system.
  • High technology requirement and high maintenance cost.In order to ensure the reliable and safe operation of household energy storage system, doing a good job in operation and maintenance is one of the effective measures.However, due to the relatively complex architecture of household high-voltage energy storage system, it requires high professional level of operation and maintenance personnel. In the actual use process, there are often problems of difficult maintenance, time-consuming and labor consumption, mainly for the following two reasons:
    • Regular maintenance need to carry out SOC calibration, capacity calibration or main loop inspection for the battery pack.
    • When the battery module is abnormal, the conventional lithium battery does not have the automatic balancing function, so maintenance personnel need to manually replenish the power on site, which cannot quickly respond to customer needs.
  • Mixed use of old and new batteries accelerate the aging and capacity’s mismatch of new batteries.
    • For the household low-voltage energy storage system lithium battery mix old and new, the battery internal resistance difference is large, easy to cause circulation, battery temperature rise, will accelerate the aging of new batteries.
    • In the household high-voltage energy storage system, the old and new battery modules are mixed in series. Due to the barrel effect, the new battery module can only be used with the capacity of the old battery module, and the battery cluster will have serious capacity mismatch.
    • For example, the available capacity of the new module is 100Ah, and the available capacity of the old module is 90Ah. If they are mixed, the battery cluster can only use 90Ah. To sum up, it is generally not recommended to use new and old lithium batteries directly in series or parallel.
  • Low battery protection rating.
Home Power Storage system

Why do you need the Home Battery Backup?

Home Battery Backup could store electricity energy locally for later consumption, also known as “Battery Energy Storage System” (“BESS” for short), with rechargeable batteries, typically based on LiFePO4, controlled by a computer. they coule be your power backup when it is blackouts or in an off-the-grid lifestyle.

If you live in an area with frequent power outages, you already know the benefits of having a backup power supply for your home. Before propane, diesel, and natural gas-powered generators have been the system of choice for homeowners and businesses that make the lights on when the power goes out. Now, more and more people are considering the newer and cleaner battery options.We could get the advantages of new energy by compare it with old models through the following aspects.

1.The roughly cost for the Home battery backup costs(The Home battery backup costsdepending on home size )：
Compared to generators, battery backups do have a higher upfront cost, and you may need more than one battery depending on the size of your home and your energy needs. For the average medium-sized home, an initial battery backup investment can range from $10,000 to $20,000—this is just an estimate for a small battery system that could supply energy for about a day. If the same medium-sized home is integrating a battery backup system with their solar panel system to generate power, upfront costs can increase to about $20,000 to $40,000.

2.The maintenance costs on battery backup power：
The upfront price you pay isn’t the only cost to keep in mind. If you install a generator, you also need to buy the fuel to keep it running. Fuel costs can add up if you frequently rely on your generator – this is especially the case if you also need to pay for the delivery of fuel to your home or business. Not to mention, you need to store the fuel somewhere in your home.

By comparison, if you install a battery backup power in your home, you can pair it with a solar energy system to charge it with renewable energy from the sun. This will add to your upfront cost (a smaller-than-average 6-kilowatt solar panel system will cost, on average, $16,560 before incentives), but over time it can save you tens of thousands of dollars on your electric bill.Even without solar, your battery might be able to save you money on your electric bill. Some utilities have time-of-use (TOU) electric rates, which vary throughout the day. If you have TOU rates, a battery can actually result in lower electric bills by providing an alternative source of electricity when rates are high.

Generators are usually powered by diesel, liquid propane, or natural gas. Your generator can continue to run as long as you have the fuel to supply your generator, and some generators can even be connected to an existing natural gas line. If you don’t have access to a natural gas line, you should expect to refill your generator as needed.

By comparison, a home battery backup system runs on electricity and can be charged either from the grid or from a rooftop solar panel system. If you design a solar plus storage system for off-grid backup power, you can recharge when the grid goes down, adding an extra layer of security for situations where you might be worried about having access to fuel for a generator.

(Not all home battery systems can be recharged during power outages, so make sure that your installer knows that this feature is crucial to you.)

Size/power load for backup power options
When you’re comparing your backup power options, think about what you need to keep running when the grid goes down.

If you just want to keep the lights on in a power outage, most batteries will do the job. Many homeowners who choose batteries for backup power are comfortable knowing that “critical loads” like power outlets, lights, and small appliances will be powered in the event of a power outage.

However, not all batteries are capable of quickly discharging enough electricity to get energy-intensive equipment up and running. If your home relies on a sump pump, well pump, or other equipment that uses a lot of power to start up, you’ll need to install a battery that is specifically intended for backup power.

If you install a conventional generator, you won’t have to worry about critical loads. As long as you choose a generator that is sized properly by your installer, you should be able to keep your home or business running without issue, assuming you have adequate fuel onsite

Outdoor camping.Outdoor portable power supply.

What Should I Pay Attention When Using a Portable Power Supply?

Portable power stations, also known as battery energy storage, have become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more people rely on electronic devices for work, entertainment, and communication. However, it is important to pay attention to certain safety and usage guidelines when using a portable power station to ensure that it works properly and safely.

Capacity: The first thing to pay attention to when using a portable power station is its capacity. Make sure that the portable power station has enough capacity to fully charge your device(s) and that it can hold enough energy to power them for a sufficient amount of time.

Output Voltage: Another important factor to consider is the output voltage of the portable power station. Make sure that the output voltage matches the input voltage of your device(s) to ensure that they charge properly.

Safety: Only use portable power stations that are certified and have proper safety features such as overcharge protection. This will prevent your device from overcharging and potentially causing damage.

Temperature: Keep the portable power station in a cool and dry place, as high temperatures can damage the battery and cause it to degrade more quickly.

Battery Condition: Regularly check the battery condition of the portable power station. If the battery is damaged, stop using it immediately to prevent potential safety hazards.

Water and Heat: Keep the device and power station away from water, heat, and direct sunlight. These elements can damage the battery and cause it to degrade more quickly.

Cable and Connector: Use the correct cable and connector for your device, using the wrong one could damage both the device and power station.

Discharging: Try to avoid discharging the power station to its full capacity, to prolong the battery life.

Charge Cycles: Keep track of the number of charge cycles of your portable power station, and replace it when it reaches the end of its life, usually after around 500 cycles.

Maintenance: Regularly check the terminals and connectors of the portable power station, and clean them if necessary, to ensure that the power station is functioning correctly.

In summary, a portable power station is a convenient and versatile energy storage device that can be used to power electronic devices and appliances. However, it is important to pay attention to certain safety and usage guidelines when using a portable power station to ensure that it works properly and safely. By following these tips, you can ensure that your portable power station will provide reliable and safe power for years to come.