Battery energy storage solutions

Energy storage technology is a crucial component of the energy transition.

Harnessing renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind power comes with a key challenge: intermittency.

Different types of energy storage and battery energy power solutions can ensure reliable, continuous energy supply to establish a sustainable future.

Battery and BESS consultants

Arche Energy is a battery energy storage consultant on projects from concept and feasibility all the way through to commissioning, for developers, generators, network businesses, and large industrial energy users.

As BESS consultants, we advise on key development and delivery stages, including:

feasibility assessments,
sizing and dispatch modelling,
grid connection planning,
EPC tender support,
tender evaluation.

During construction and commissioning, our team can also provide Owner’s Engineering services, representing the project owner’s interests throughout delivery.

Battery storage projects can support renewable generation, improve network reliability, increase operational flexibility, and manage energy costs. As battery consultants, we provide independent technical and commercial advice to assess project requirements, risks, and available options before selecting a technology or contractor.

BESS engineering

BESS engineering at Arche is owner-side and supplier-independent. We provide independent technical advice throughout development and delivery, with the project owner’s requirements at the centre of our work.

Engineering support may include:

system sizing and performance modelling,
augmentation strategy planning across the asset lifecycle,
protection and control design review,
grid compliance and connection studies,
factory acceptance testing (FAT),
site acceptance testing (SAT).

We work with project owners to identify technical risks, review designs, compliance obligations, and oversee delivery. Our independent engineering advice ensures battery storage systems are designed, tested, and commissioned to meet project requirements.

Battery energy power solutions: how we can help

Along with our owner’s engineering capability; Arche Energy has a deep understanding of battery technologies and knows how to optimise BESS projects for commercial success.

We are passionate about supporting BESS projects, so much so that we created BESS Auto™, an automation tool that creates BESS layouts in seconds. Watch our demo video for a peek into how it works.

We also provide development and project management services for battery projects including:

major equipment supplier and EPC contractor selection and contract negotiations,
network connection applications and GPS (Generator Performance Standards) studies,
Owner’s Engineering and Project Management through construction.

Our work on battery projects includes ongoing services for up to 750MW / 1500MWh BESS projects as owner’s project manager and engineer from siting studies to construction and commissioning.

We develop designs and specifications from concept through pre-feasibility and feasibility level to D&C, manage development applications and equipment procurement, deliver all aspects of site preparation, and manage network connection applications.

Where battery storage fits for your business

Battery storage can solve different challenges depending on the needs of your business, project, or network. As energy storage consultants, we help clients identify where storage delivers the greatest technical, operational, and commercial value.

Renewable developers

Renewable developers come to us when a project needs firming to meet a connection condition or an offtake commitment. Battery energy storage services can firm renewable generation, improve dispatchability, and increase the value of renewable energy assets.

Network businesses

Network businesses often face the decision of whether to invest in network augmentation or explore alternative solutions. Battery storage manages network constraints, defers infrastructure upgrades, and provides additional flexibility to the electricity system.

Large industrial energy users

Large industrial energy users often seek to reduce demand charges, improve energy resilience, or optimise electricity costs. With battery storage services, businesses have more control over peak demand and when they draw electricity from the grid.

Gas and thermal operators

For gas and thermal operators, battery storage presents another option for fast-response capacity and grid support services. The ability to respond quickly to changing network conditions also makes it a useful complement to existing generation assets.

Our advice considers how battery storage fits within broader operational and energy transition consulting objectives. Explore our BESS project work to see how battery storage is applied across the Australian energy sector.

What do batteries do?

Grid stabilisation

Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, are intermittent by nature. They generate electricity when the sun shines or the wind blows, which may not align with the demand for electricity. Energy storage systems can store excess energy during times of high production and release it when demand is high, thus balancing supply and demand and stabilising the electrical grid.

Smoothing power generation

Energy storage systems can smooth out the fluctuations in power generation from renewable sources. For example, when the wind suddenly drops or clouds cover the sun, the energy storage system can provide power to compensate for the shortfall and ensure a consistent and reliable electricity supply.

Time shifting

Energy storage allows for time shifting of renewable energy generation. Excess energy generated during periods of low demand can be stored and utilised during peak demand periods, reducing the need for additional conventional power plants and improving the overall efficiency of the energy system.

Grid resilience and reliability

Energy storage enhances the resilience and reliability of the electrical grid. It can provide backup power during grid outages or blackouts, ensuring a continuous supply of electricity to critical facilities, such as hospitals, emergency services, and communication networks.

Integration of distributed energy resources

Renewable energy generation is increasingly decentralised, with small-scale solar installations and wind turbines installed in various locations. Energy storage systems enable the integration of these distributed energy resources into the grid, allowing for greater flexibility and efficient utilisation of renewable energy at the local level.

Ancillary services

Energy storage systems can provide various ancillary services to the grid, such as frequency regulation, voltage control, and reactive power support. These services help maintain grid stability and optimise the operation of the power system.

Renewable energy market growth

Energy storage technologies facilitate the growth of the renewable energy market by addressing the intermittency and variability challenges associated with renewable sources. As energy storage becomes more cost-effective and efficient, it encourages greater investment in renewable energy projects.

Overall, energy storage systems enable a more reliable, flexible, and efficient integration of renewable energy sources into the existing power infrastructure, fostering the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Energy storage technologies

Ongoing research and development efforts continue to explore new and improved energy storage technologies to meet the evolving needs of the renewable energy industry. These are just a few examples of energy storage technologies currently used in renewable energy systems.

Battery energy storage systems (BESS)

Batteries are widely used for energy storage in renewable energy applications. They store electrical energy in chemical form and can be charged and discharged multiple times. Lithium-ion batteries are the most prevalent type used in grid-scale and residential applications due to their high energy density, efficiency, and long cycle life. Other battery technologies, such as lead-acid, sodium-ion, and flow batteries, are also being explored.

Pumped hydroelectric storage

Pumped hydro storage is one of the oldest and most established forms of energy storage. It uses the potential energy of water stored in elevated reservoirs. During periods of high renewable energy generation or low electricity demand, excess energy is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir. When electricity demand is high, the water is released back to the lower reservoir through turbines, generating electricity.

Compressed air energy storage (CAES)

CAES stores energy by compressing air and storing it in underground caverns or tanks. During periods of high renewable energy generation, excess electricity is used to compress air and store it. When energy demand increases, the compressed air is released, expanded, and passed through turbines to generate electricity.

Thermal energy storage

Thermal energy storage systems store and release energy in the form of heat. They are commonly used in conjunction with concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. Excess thermal energy generated by solar collectors is stored in molten salts or other heat storage materials. When there is a demand for electricity, the stored heat is used to generate steam, which drives a turbine to produce electricity.

Flywheel energy storage

Flywheel systems store energy in the form of rotational kinetic energy. They consist of a spinning rotor suspended in a vacuum chamber to minimise energy losses due to friction. Excess electricity is used to accelerate the rotor, storing energy, and when electricity demand increases, the kinetic energy of the spinning rotor is converted back into electricity.

Supercapacitors

Supercapacitors, also known as ultracapacitors, store electrical energy by accumulating charge at the interface between an electrode and an electrolyte. They can deliver high power outputs and have a long cycle life, making them suitable for applications that require rapid energy discharge and charging.

FAQ

1. What does a BESS consultant do?

A BESS consultant provides independent advice on the planning, development, and delivery of battery energy storage projects. Services include feasibility assessments, system sizing, grid connection support, procurement and tender evaluation, and owner’s engineer services during construction. A BESS consultant works on the owner’s side of the project rather than representing a supplier or contractor.

2. Why are battery systems important for the energy transition?

Battery systems improve reliability by storing electricity and making it available when needed. Energy transition consulting supports renewable energy integration, provides dispatchable capacity, manages network constraints, and improves flexibility across the electricity system.

3. How is a battery energy storage system sized?

A battery energy storage system is sized through technical and financial modelling based on the project’s needs. Key factors include storage duration, revenue or cost-saving targets, grid connection limits, charging and dispatch requirements, and future augmentation needs.

4. Do you work with BESS EPC contractors or replace them?

No, we work alongside BESS EPC contractors, not replace them. Our role is to represent the owner’s interests by defining requirements, preparing specifications, evaluating EPC tenders, and overseeing delivery through our Owner’s Engineer services. We provide independent technical oversight rather than supplying or installing equipment.

5. How long does a battery storage project take?

Battery storage project timelines vary depending on project size, approval requirements and connection processes. Feasibility studies can take weeks to months, while procurement, construction, and commissioning can extend the overall timeline to a year or more.