Photovoltaic energy storage lithium battery procurement

What is a battery energy storage system checklist?

Checklist provides federal agencies with a standard set of tasks, questions, and reference points to assist in the early stages of battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development.

How can battery storage improve solar energy production?

Note rising interest in value streams that are locally realized, e.g., time-shifting to balance rising distributed energy resources (DERs) locally. Battery storage can prevent solar over-production, while facilitating local high-renewables goals. It also may sometimes defer the need for a distribution upgrade (non-wires alternative).

Are EV chemistries a good alternative to lithium?

During this short-term supply crunch, while the EV sector is consuming much of that lithium, there are other alternatives, such as zinc and iron-based chemistries to consider. BESS buyers who do their diligence on these newer chemistries now will be in a much better position than those who wait.

Why are lithium batteries so expensive?

Indeed, as the cost of raw materials such as lithium climbs, battery prices are being driven materially higher, on some accounts by 20% to 30%, rendering some projects uneconomical.

What are the challenges of procurement for utility-side storage & solar-plus projects?

The challenges of procurement for utility-side storage and solar-plus projects center largely on early-stage decisions: defining the top-priority use case, but also exploring ways to get more value out of the project and to prepare for market changes over its life.

What should you consider when buying a new battery supplier?

When considering a new supplier, buyers should carefully check the company’s safety credentials and industry certifications, as well as the possible failure modes with the battery type they supply, and how these are mitigated.