Reducing Costs for Battery Storage Boosts Renewable Energy Growth

The consensus among organizations, including the United Nations (UN), International Energy Agency (IEA), and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is clear – renewable energy, specifically solar and wind power, is fundamental to achieving future global sustainability.

In IRENA’s 1.5°C scenario, the total global renewable power generation capacity must triple by 2030, surpassing 11,000GW. This will require solar and wind power to account for 90% of the new additions.

However, despite the numerous advantages of wind and photovoltaic (PV) power generation over other environmentally harmful alternatives, they do present a series of challenges that can compromise their effectiveness if left unaddressed. Unlike gas, coal or nuclear power generation, a renewable solution’s output is variable and governed solely by local weather conditions.

The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar necessitates the presence of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to ensure their efficacy. As a result, the cost-effectiveness of BESS solutions, and by extension the safety and reliability of grid-scale installations, have become crucial factors that determine the success of renewable energy.

From small-scale residential installations to large-scale grid projects, BESS plays a crucial role by providing the necessary functionality to support the generation of renewable energy.

When renewable energy sources like solar and wind are combined with BESS, energy generation fluctuations can be counteracted, leading to a reliable power supply akin to that of conventional power stations.

The functionality of BESS for renewable energy production encompasses both load leveling and peak shaving. Load leveling is the process of storing energy when demand is low and then releasing it when demand is high. Peak shaving refers to the practice of reducing power consumption during periods of high demand and peak demand charges.

Microgrids, which have the capability to operate independently from the main grid, offering homes and businesses the ability to oversee their own power generation, enhance electricity accessibility, and play a pivotal role in the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure.

The utilization of BESS is imperative for the efficient operation of microgrids. Within a microgrid system, BESS can supplement power during periods of inadequate electricity generation from local renewable sources, ensuring a dependable power provision.

As the global community rallies to fulfill ambitious renewable energy targets set for 2030, the significance of battery energy storage systems (BESS) cannot be overstated. Across continents, nations are propelled by legislative mandates such as Europe’s REPowerEU plan and the US Inflation Reduction Act, which earmark funding for renewable energy initiatives.

But for renewable energy, microgrids, and BESS to succeed, the underlying technology must be high-performing, safe, and financially sustainable. It is essential, therefore, to prioritize solutions that offer good value in terms of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), given the large-scale deployments required worldwide.

The battery cell is the core component of every BESS, and any advancements made in it have a significant impact on the entire system’s operations and lifespan. The optimization of monitoring, performance, and safety at the cellular level results in a chain of positive effects, improving the efficiency, reliability, durability, and profitability of the broader energy storage infrastructure.

Dukosi’s chip-on-cell technology is specifically designed to simplify battery design through a revolutionary new architecture, resulting in decreased total cost of ownership (TCO) at every stage, including cell manufacturing, battery pack creation, deployment, operation, and even sustainability considerations at end-of-life.

In a recently published report by CEA Insights on BESS Quality Risks 30% of defects were attributed to the cells. Identifying bad cells earlier more effectively minimizes the risk of including them in battery packs. Dukosi’s chip-on-cell technology is designed to be installed during cell manufacturing, surviving formation and testing to monitor and log internal cell characteristics from the start.

Typically, to connect each cell in a large battery pack to their respective module analog front end (AFE), a complex network of wiring harnesses and connectors is required, which is then connected to the main battery management system (BMS) processor. Dukosi’s contactless architecture instead utilizes near field technology to transmit cell data through a single bus antenna, eliminating the need for most wiring and connectors, resulting in lower costs and fewer potential failure points.

Dukosi chip-on-cell offers a solution for changing battery size or cell chemistries without expensive redesigns, allowing for per-cell adjustments to battery capacity and supporting multiple cell chemistries. This flexible solution reduces risk, increases scalability and provides essential supply chain flexibility in large deployments and longer projects.

Grid-scale projects frequently transport pre-assembled battery containers. Although more convenient for manufacturing, shipping each container with thousands of cells to the site can lead to high transportation and insurance expenses.

Dukosi’s technology can monitor every cell in real-time, ensuring immediate detection of faulty cells and reducing the risk of deploying devices that have been damaged or subject to extreme conditions (i.e. high temperature) during transportation or storage.

The highest risk of battery fires occurs during deployment and the initial two years of use. Dukosi Cell Monitors provide the temperature of every cell to the BMS, unlike typical modular designs that only directly monitor a small subset of cells. The ability to detect and respond promptly to any abnormal temperature behavior greatly enhances the safety and reliability of each battery pack.

In today’s data-driven world, Dukosi plays a crucial role as the facilitator of information. By analyzing the data collected from thousands of Dukosi Cell Monitors during system operation, it is possible to improve operational intelligence by obtaining more accurate measurements of State of Health (SoH) and State of Charge (SoC).

Dukosi’s chip-on-cell technology tracks lifetime data, event logging, provenance information, and supply-chain data for each cell. This is critical for making warranty claims more efficient by determining the cell supplier and their adherence to specifications.

Capturing lifetime data, like that stored within Dukosi’s chip-on-cell technology, delivers a number of benefits and aligns with the EU’s forthcoming EU Battery Regulation. This regulation will mandate pack level battery Digital Product Passports (DPP) designed to help create a more circular economy and reduce the environmental impact of battery manufacturing.

While renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are indispensable for future global sustainability, addressing their intermittent nature requires the deployment of BESS. However, the success of BESS relies not only on their functionality but also on their TCO. By giving attention to TCO, it is possible to make sure that solutions are both impactful and economically feasible over an extended period.

Dukosi’s innovative cell monitoring technology exemplifies this approach, offering enhanced reliability, lower costs, and greater sustainability throughout the battery life cycle. By prioritizing solutions that optimize TCO, we can accelerate the transition towards a cleaner, greener energy future while ensuring economic viability and scalability.

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