Solar panels are an increasingly common sight on homes, businesses, and expansive solar farms. But where does all of this abundant, renewable energy go?
It’s necessary not just to capture this resource, but to adequately store it as well. Unlike oil or natural gas extracted and stored in tanks or underground, renewable energy like solar power requires different storage means. A common solution is to send excess power back into the grid. But there’s another, more efficient alternative: the battery energy storage system, or BESS.
A battery energy storage system stores renewable energy, like solar power, in rechargeable batteries. This stored energy can be used later to provide electricity when needed, like during power outages or periods of high demand. Its reliability and energy efficiency make the BESS design important for the future of renewable energy.
A BESS is a complex device with intricate technical components. These include battery cells, typically lithium-ion, and inverters that transform direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). There are multiple control systems, including battery management, power conversion, fire safety, and more.
These systems come in a range of sizes. You might have a small BESS mounted in your garage to charge your electric vehicle. A residential BESS that powers your home in an outage might be the size of a mini fridge. But larger applications, like a solar farm, require much larger systems. And the bigger the BESS, the bigger the challenge to enclose it.
Some organizations opt for custom system enclosures for their large-scale operations. However, the design and implementation of these systems can be complex, costly, and time-consuming.
Much to our delight, champions of renewable energy are turning toward our favorite industrial problem solver: the shipping container.
The battery energy storage market was estimated to be around $2.8 billion in 2022. By 2032, estimates are around $49.2 billion. It’s safe to assume the demand for BESS enclosures will grow as well. Shipping containers are stepping in as the practical, available, and modifiable solution to the industry’s growing demand.
Size
20 and 40-foot shipping containers are the ideal size for all of the interior components of a BESS. Depending on the configuration, there could even be room for a technician workspace.
Portable
The ability to relocate a BESS is a desirable feature. They’re a necessary resource in cases of disaster relief, emergencies, and off-grid operations.
Customizable
The proven customizability of shipping containers is another reason energy leaders are considering containers. The same modifications Falcon deploys on an everyday basis are the same ones that transform a container into a BESS enclosure.
Environmentally Conscious
A repurposed one-trip shipping container, like the ones Falcon modifies, is a more sustainable and efficient alternative to many custom-built enclosures. With roughly 17 million in circulation today, reusing them minimizes waste and consumes less energy.
Battery storage for solar power is essential for the future of renewable energy efforts. As the market continues to grow, we expect the adoption of modified shipping container BESS enclosures to grow as well. Containers are an elegant solution to the logistical and financial challenges of the battery storage industry. More importantly, they contribute toward a sustainable and resilient future of cleaner energy.
Want to learn more about a custom container battery storage system enclosure? Let’s talk! Reach out to our team at 512-131-1010 or email us at Sales@FalconStructures.com.