What is battery energy storage?

Battery energy storage systems are made up of thousands of individual lithium-ion battery cells, which are grouped into modules and installed on racks and located inside a secure containerized enclosure. These enclosures and additional outdoor facilities also contain inverters and transformers, which change the power back and forth from alternating current and direct current and increase or decrease the voltage, in addition to HVAC and safety and monitoring equipment. The energy flows between the batteries, a project substation, a generation tie-line, and the rest of the grid.

Typically, a stand-alone battery energy storage system connects to the wider grid at an electric substation, and not directly to another generation source or to a single customer. The electricity used to charge the batteries is generated by other power plants that inject electricity into the grid. The batteries charge when there is extra power available on the grid, like overnight, and especially when customers do not need or cannot get that power, due to transmission limitations. When the batteries discharge or put power back onto the grid, it is delivered to customers using power at that time, especially at times of peak customer use. The batteries discharge when customers need power most, like on hot days when the air conditioning is running.

For more information on battery energy storage, please visit the EPA site on battery storage.

A battery storage facility provides increased energy capacity, peak shaving, voltage support, and frequency regulation—all of this means that a battery storage facility has the power and unique characteristics to make the grid perform better, by providing all those different supporting functions. Energy storage may defer the need for ratepayers to fund new transmission and generation infrastructure.

Once construction is completed and the facility is operational, there will be little noticeable activity at the facility. Staff will be present at the facility most days to preemptively ensure smooth operations and inspect the equipment, run diagnostic checks, and groom vegetation. The facility will be remotely operated and monitored 24/7 through state-of-the-art technology, including alarms and safety systems.

Jupiter expects no observable increase in traffic, no dust, glare, waste, or water use once construction of the facility is complete. Under normal operations, the facility will produce little noise and no regular nighttime lighting is planned. Operations will comply with all local, state, and federal ordinances and regulations.