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At Frax, we see a growing need for smart and scalable energy storage solutions. As specialists in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), we supply innovative and sustainable plug-and-play systems that take all the hassle out of installation, with user-friendly, tailor-made solutions for both industrial and residential projects.
What is long-term energy storage?
Long-term energy storage is a way to achieve the energy transition and store energy for several hours to days, and sometimes even longer. You store energy when there is a high supply, for example when solar or wind generation is high, and use it later when your consumption is higher or generation is temporarily unavailable.
For businesses, this means greater flexibility, less dependence on the electricity grid, and better control over energy costs. LDES supports applications such as load shifting, increasing self-consumption of renewable energy, and limiting peak loads, making your energy management smarter and more stable.
What is the role of long-term energy storage in the energy transition?
The role of long-term energy storage is to store renewable energy and make it available when supply and demand do not coincide, which means that the energy transition requires a reliable and flexible energy management system. Renewable sources provide clean energy, but not always when you need it. That is why there is growing demand for solutions that better balance supply and demand.
LDES contributes to energy security and grid flexibility by relieving pressure on the electricity grid and limiting the impact of grid congestion. Long-term energy storage is expected to grow significantly towards 2040, as energy storage in industrial companies, mobility, and buildings further increases the demand for a stable energy supply.
Key technologies for long-term energy storage
Long-term energy storage can be achieved in various ways. Some solutions store energy directly in electrical form, while others convert energy into heat, motion, or chemical energy carriers. The most suitable technology depends on your energy profile, desired storage duration, and how you want to use storage within your overall energy management.
Electrochemical energy storage
Electrochemical storage works with home batteries that store energy in chemical form and later convert it back into electricity. This is the best-known technology within BESS, with lithium-ion being a widely used option. The advantage is high efficiency and fast response, giving you immediate access to energy for applications such as peak shaving and load balancing.
Thermal energy storage
Thermal energy storage stores energy as heat or cold. This is particularly interesting if you want to use energy for heating, hot water, or industrial process energy. It can be an efficient solution for companies with high heat demand, especially if you want to use sustainable energy when it is readily available.
Mechanical energy storage
Mechanical storage uses movement, pressure, or height differences, such as pump accumulation or compressed air storage. The advantage is that some systems are suitable for large-scale applications and have a long service life. The limitation is that these solutions often require a lot of space or specific infrastructure, making them less suitable for use at every business location.
Chemical energy storage
Chemical storage converts electricity into an energy carrier such as hydrogen. This enables storage over longer periods, for example for seasonal storage. It is particularly interesting for applications where long storage duration is more important than maximum efficiency, even though there are losses in the conversion chain.
How do you choose the right long-term energy storage for your business?
The right choice for long-term energy storage depends on your consumption, your generation, your grid connection, and your goals. By carefully determining your needs in advance, you can choose a solution that is technically and financially suited to your situation.
- Sustainability versus scalability: you consider lifespan and environmental impact, while also looking at how easily you can scale up when your energy needs grow.
- Efficiency: you assess how much energy is lost during charging and discharging, and how this affects longer storage periods.
- Costs: you compare investment, maintenance, and total costs over the lifetime, including potential energy savings.
- Material challenges: you take into account the availability of raw materials and their impact on price and delivery reliability.
- Storage duration: you determine how many hours or days you want to bridge your energy needs, and choose the technology and capacity that suits your requirements.
Challenges of long-term energy storage
Long-term energy storage requires the right balance between costs, space, efficiency, and performance. The longer you want to store energy, the greater the capacity and investment required. In addition, material availability, safety, and regulations are playing an increasingly important role, especially in large-scale applications such as energy hubs in business parks.
Integration is also important. Storage provides the most value when it is intelligently controlled based on consumption, generation, and grid conditions. That is why energy management systems are becoming increasingly important for optimizing long-term storage and managing energy effectively.
Want to know more about long-term energy storage?
Want to discover which long-term energy storage solution best suits your project? Frax helps you with complete, innovative, and sustainable Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) that take all the hassle out of installation. Thanks to our plug-and-play systems and the Frax energy management system (EMS), our solutions are ready for immediate integration in both industrial and residential applications.
Contact us for tailored advice and discover how the right energy storage solution can give you more control over costs, sustainability, and energy security.
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