5 Minute Reading: How to Calculate Your Battery Energy Storage System Cost

Overview

The main cost of energy storage systems usually comes from battery components, and the battery energy storage system cost has been decreasing in recent years. Energy storage technology takes various forms, from storing electricity for nighttime use to providing grid stability services to help integrate solar energy. Energy storage technology has also been a popular choice in the market due to the decrease in the cost of solar photovoltaic technology.

People have begun to pay attention to the systematic methods of energy transformation, which can not only help enterprises or individuals improve energy efficiency, but also save costs in the long run.
And the widespread application of new battery storage technologies has rapidly reduced the cost of battery components, especially lithium-ion batteries, high-temperature sodium sulfur batteries (NAS), and flow batteries. The data shows that by 2023, the price of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) has decreased by 75%.

With the rapid decrease in costs, BESS is becoming more and more important in fixed applications and transportation.
Recently, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the United States released its latest long-term cost data for lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) as of 2050. The data shows that in the next 10 to 25 years, the existing price of battery energy storage systems will be halved, and owning these low-cost solar energy storage system will be beneficial to oneself and society.

Through this news, we will discuss what battery energy storage systems are, their advantages, and how to calculate your battery energy storage system cost, which will give you a better understanding of battery energy storage systems and their knowledge in purchasing.

What is a battery energy storage system (BESS)?

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a key way for businesses to store renewable electricity generated by solar panels. When the device generates electrical energy, it is stored in BESS and released when needed. This means that even during periods when energy is not being produced, electricity support can still be enjoyed.

This is crucial for the efficiency of renewable energy systems, for example, when solar panels cannot receive sunlight at night, you can still use the renewable energy stored during the day.
There are various types of battery energy storage systems, among which the most common is lithium-ion batteries. This type of battery is not only used for mobile phones and electric vehicles, but also the most popular energy storage system in large factories and power grids.

In recent years, the cost of lithium-ion batteries has significantly decreased, and businesses and consumers are more willing to choose this energy storage technology.
Renewable energy sources such as hydropower or wind power do not continuously generate energy. For solar projects, energy production is influenced by sunlight duration, forest coverage, and weather conditions.

So BESS provides an advanced technological solution that can store and distribute renewable energy when consumers need electricity. They are commonly used in power grids, electric vehicles, solar power generation devices, and smart homes, storing electricity through one or more batteries. The interconnection between energy and batteries defines BESS.
BESS has played an important role in our lives, and many companies plan to continue incorporating it into the power production system in the future.

Energy arbitrage

If these energy sources are not stored, a significant amount of electricity will be lost every year. BESS provides storage solutions for future use of these energy sources. Even in the absence of sunlight, these batteries can store excess electricity until use.
The ability to charge batteries during low demand and obtain energy during high demand is often referred to as energy arbitrage.
In summary, battery energy storage systems not only improve the efficiency of renewable energy utilization, but also provide more reliable energy solutions for businesses and consumers.

The advantages of battery energy storage systems

Efficient utilization of energy

A major advantage of battery energy storage systems (BESS) is that they can maximize the utilization of locally generated clean energy, efficiently store it, and then provide it for use by households or businesses. This means that during peak hours, you can reduce your dependence on the public grid. This advantage can be achieved through both wind turbines and solar panels.

Reduce usage costs

Another significant benefit of having BESS is a reduction in monthly electricity costs, as the amount of electricity used from the main grid is reduced, resulting in a natural decrease in electricity bills. In addition, battery energy storage systems can also reduce the carbon footprint of enterprises, making them more attractive to customers with strong environmental awareness.

Reduce the pressure on the State Grid

The application of BESS has improved the energy efficiency of solar photovoltaic systems and wind turbines, reducing energy waste. It not only allows for the installation of larger scale photovoltaic systems, but also enables energy self-sufficiency, producing and consuming more energy, thereby reducing the pressure on the national power grid.

Battery Energy Storage System Cost

Prediction of battery energy storage system cost

According to the prediction of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the United States, the total cost of battery energy storage systems will continue to decrease over the next 15 years, which means that renewable energy will become more widespread.

Why can the battery energy storage system cost decrease?

One of the main reasons for the cost reduction of energy storage systems is the overall cost of their battery system components (such as battery cells and battery packs themselves).
These components account for about half of the entire storage system cost, indicating a significant proportion. This also means that due to the decrease in the prices of these components, the price of the entire battery energy storage system will also decrease.
Recent research statistics do indicate that the price of battery energy storage systems is continuing to decline, which is a very encouraging sign because it means that more people will feel that sustainable energy is affordable within their economic scope, which is why more people choose it.

The significant decrease in the price of lithium-ion batteries has made energy storage systems more affordable and competitive compared to traditional power sources.
The cost of the project may vary depending on the region. For example, larger projects can reduce costs per kilowatt hour through economies of scale plans, while projects in remote or off grid areas may increase additional costs due to transportation and installation costs, as well as additional labor costs.
Other factors that affect the cost of energy storage systems include the type of battery technology used.

For example, some battery chemical components may be more expensive than others, as can be seen in this article: 6 Chemical Types of Lithium ion Batteries that You Can Choose From
Projects located in high energy demand or remote areas with complex terrain may require larger and more complex systems, thereby increasing overall costs.
Although costs have decreased in recent years, the upfront investment cost of commercial battery storage systems remains a barrier faced by some enterprises and organizations. However, there are now various incentive measures and financing schemes, as well as government subsidies and other policies that can help offset these costs.

Financing and incentive measures

Various countries provide various incentive measures for enterprises installing energy storage systems, such as tax credits and subsidies.
In the United States, Investment Tax Credit (ITC) can cover 26% of the total cost of energy storage projects. In addition, many utility companies also provide demand response plans to pay businesses and consumers the cost of reducing energy use during peak demand periods.
In order to reduce the initial cost of energy storage systems, companies can choose financing options such as leasing and power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Through leasing, companies do not need to pay the full cost at once, but instead pay monthly storage system usage fees. PPA allows companies to purchase the energy generated by the system at a fixed price within a specified period of time, without the need to purchase the system itself, resulting in significant cost differences.

What is PPA?

Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a long-term contract form in which developers install, own, and operate renewable energy systems on customer land. Developers sell the generated electricity energy to customers at fixed prices, which typically provides reliable and low-cost electricity.
The term of PPA is usually 10 to 20 years or longer, and the contract clearly specifies the commercial requirements and terms for the sale of renewable electricity, including start and end dates, payment terms, and termination conditions.

At the end of the PPA period, customers have several options: buying out system ownership, renewing the contract, or terminating the agreement and dismantling the system.
Due to almost no upfront costs, PPA is a very popular form that allows customers to easily access renewable energy.

How to Calculate your Battery Energy Storage System Cost

How much does a solar cell cost?

The cost and price of solar cells from different brands vary greatly. Different companies offer battery products of different sizes.
The simplest way to compare costs is to look at the price per kilowatt hour (kWh).
Kilowatt hours measure the capacity of a battery, which means how much energy it can store at once.  

What is the price of solar cells in your country/region?

The prices of batteries vary in different regions. In some regions, if the installation personnel are not familiar with the battery or the installation process is difficult, the labor cost will also be higher. Sometimes, due to different needs, better and more expensive battery brands may be used, which can also lead to higher price costs. Come to GycxSolar to inquire about the most suitable product for you.

What factors affect the cost of solar cells?

The most important cost factors for battery installation are the equipment itself, the optimal battery size, and the matching product model. What battery do you want to install? How many do you need? What type of chemical material battery should be chosen? Is it equipped with an inverter?  
The equipment cost usually accounts for 60-70% of the price of energy storage systems. Labor costs and project planning account for the majority of the remaining costs, so choosing a suitable installer is crucial.

Battery quality

When choosing a battery, the primary consideration is product quality.
Although energy storage products must pass strict safety tests, the safety quality of batteries varies due to their chemical composition.
Most batteries use some form of lithium-ion technology to store electrical energy. The two most common types of lithium-ion batteries are nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP). NMC batteries typically have higher power density, while LFP batteries are known for higher efficiency, more cycles, and higher safety. Then it varies depending on the specific brand price.

Your battery inverter

The battery stores direct current (DC), but the load uses alternating current (AC), so an inverter is needed to convert the direct current in the battery into alternating current. Some battery systems come with hybrid inverters, which can be used in conjunction with solar systems or specifically for energy storage, resulting in higher product costs. If the battery does not come with an inverter, an additional inverter needs to be purchased, which may increase the system cost.

Conclusion

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a technology used to store electrical energy and release it when needed to meet electricity demand. It plays a crucial role in various applications, including stabilizing the power grid, smoothing peak loads, and supporting the integration of renewable energy.
The process of developing clean energy is still ongoing, and there is still room for a reduction in the cost of the battery energy storage system.

With the introduction of more related technologies such as microgrids, lithium-ion battery energy storage and other energy storage systems will continue to be improved.
If you need more advice about battery energy storage systems, you can contact us. We have a professional team dedicated to serving you. Start enjoying the cost-effectiveness of battery energy storage system costs as soon as possible.