• • • BATTERIES & CHARGERS • • • Good things in store for
those who connect By Paul O’Shaughnessy, IIoT Sales Director Northern Europe and Energy & Utilities Sector Head, Advantech
C
reating a connected IoT infrastructure is crucial for improving the efficiency, security and resilience of a Battery Energy Storage
System (BESS). However, achieving these ambitions requires the integration of many carefully selected hardware and software components, including I/O gateways, edge protocol gateways, edge computers and software. Application-specific IoT solutions for BESS can help facilitate the energy industry’s transition towards a successful future driven by digitalisation, decentralisation and decarbonisation, catering to both front-of-metre and behind-metre prosumers.
Green energy trends and opportunities
Grid digitalisation means establishing energy storage solutions that can support the integration of renewable energy into smart, flexible power systems. The effects of digitalisation will have an impact on the whole process, from generation and storage, to transmission, distribution and consumption. If businesses want to take control of energy demands on both sides of the meter, they will need to deploy energy systems capable of real-time AI.
Another trend/opportunity is decentralisation, which will necessitate a major contribution from businesses, especially larger enterprises, in the adoption of self-generation solutions. These solutions will permit businesses to manage their own energy requirements through the construction of micro grids.
In tandem, a key consideration will be partnering with suppliers that can help deliver energy efficiency targets via the deployment, operation and management of renewable energy systems.
The challenges BESS cost is always a primary concern, and when implementing an IoT-based BESS, users need to consider costs that include hardware, software, installation and maintenance to reach an estimate of TCO (total cost of ownership). After all, if the system is not profitable, the business model is not sustainable. Simplifying design and maximising system efficiency are key elements of driving profitability. Future scalability also comes into the equation regarding both system success and cost. A scalable BESS is essential for future growth and development.
A well-connected BESS also needs to utilise reliable and secure communication infrastructure, as well as robust computing power that can
Typical BESS ecosystem
work autonomously. Connectivity is necessary in both the sensing and network layers – the latter aggregates data from the various IP devices present in the system. During integration, most projects will encounter a multitude of different connectivity interfaces, including serial, one-wire, CAN bus, digital input, analogue I/O, Ethernet and fibre. As a further point, it is necessary to embed network security in multiple layers at each connection point to thwart potential threats. A VPN, firewall and data encryption are among the crucial tools of effective system security.
Data, data and more data To help achieve the optimal system solution, there is a need to achieve real-time data communications, or as close to it as possible. Certain technology providers are spearheading the development of hardware and software that can facilitate the roll-out of integrated renewable energy/BESS solutions. This capability includes the collection of analogue data in solar arrays and wind turbines, as well as in battery management systems (BMS). The BMS is responsible for the real-time monitoring and load control of each battery cell. A BMS typically uses a CAN bus for external communication, with a communication gateway required to convert CAN bus data to Ethernet data. Selecting the right gateway will ensure seamless data transmission and power dispatch to utility grids.
It is also necessary to collect data from the power conversion system (PCS), which serves as the core of electricity scheduling and dispatch because it converts AC and DC power with a focus on real-time control via EtherCAT. Energy storage systems (ESS) and environmental control systems (ECS), which combine the fire and HVAC system, are further data collection targets. This activity even extends to applications in the overall energy management system (EMS), providing a seamless and highly effective offering. The EMS typically includes SCADA software and industrial PCs (IPCs) working together to provide overall monitoring of the energy storage container. Usually, two sets of IPCs provide back-ups of each other for SCADA stability, while a further two sets provide back-ups of each other for database redundancy.
Deep product stacks
The latest deep product stacks (both hardware and software) can address the specific needs of key applications, helping to build the ideal solution. Firstly, one of the key challenges is connecting to devices with both Ethernet and CAN bus across all of the potential applications within a BESS, regardless of their location to the meter. Data requires seamless transfer between BESS functions and applications to maximise performance and efficiency.
In the large grid-scale energy storage field, the BMS, PCS and EMS function in different
10 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • FEBRUARY 2025
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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