"Green grids"- Battery Energy Storage Systems are the key to unlocking the clean energy transition.

Grid-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) resources enable renewables to be integrated into our grids seamlessly while also delivering grid flexibility, improved power quality, and resiliency. Traditional power plants cannot offer similar benefits because they are slow to react and must operate at fixed frequency to connect to the grids. Centralized power plants rely on huge rotating machines to create electric fields sufficient to generate gigawatts of electricity continuously. One benefit of these huge rotating machines versus solid state generators (e.g., solar) is that rotating machines have inertia so they can continue to supply power for a short period of time even after they are interrupted by a fault. This feature is called fault ride-through capability. Solar power plants attempt to simulate ride through capability by applying advanced inverters, but power electronics-based technology does not yet match the flywheel effect of massive rotating machines. Another benefit of these massive rotating machines is that they supply alternating current at a stable power system frequency (i.e., 50Hz or 60Hz). Solid state generators supply direct current power that cannot be connected directly to the AC grids. Therefore, we must apply inverters to convert DC to AC using power electronics to create stable AC supply to the grid. A major drawback of using large rotating machines for power generation is that they take minutes to get up to speed before they can generate stable power and supply the grid. Therefore, grids are supported by natural gas fed "peaking units" that are already up to speed so that they can be called upon to respond to increased demand quickly. Alternatively, BESS can respond to demand instantaneously.

Our grids, and thus all connected loads, operate at 50 Hertz or 60 Hertz AC power frequency, depending on where you live. However, datacenters, electric vehicles, and ships typically operate on DC power systems. So, how do our grids supply billions of AC and DC loads simultaneously with “green electrons” reliably through our existing AC transmission and distribution infrastructure? I have heard many people say the transition from “brown” molecules to “green” electrons for grid supply is “economically impossible” or, we must “invent new technology”, or “it will take 50-years to make the transition”. I also often hear that renewables like solar and wind are too intermittent to provide base load power supply reliably. All these objections to making the transition to “green” electric grids have merit and are supported by the fact that the world has not yet made the transition even though the general public and global leaders support the concept. There appears to be no clear path to transition such a complex system of systems, like our power grids, quickly and economically- or is there a simple solution staring us in the face?

I propose that the next step to powering our grids with “green electrons” with speed and reliability is to invest in grid scale BESS assets, beginning at or near electric substations. Grid scale BESS adoption changes our just-in-time power systems to an interconnected network of inventory-based flexible distributed energy resources. Electrons will now be generated when the economics makes sense (e.g., sunny days, windy days, off peak), stored, and dispatched as needed. ?The inflexible centralized grids become flexible while supporting each other based on stored electron “inventory” levels. Adopting transactional power trading will go from painfully complex and risky to realistic and predictable by calling on BESS resources to meet grid demands in real-time. Further, grid-interconnected BESS assets add flexibility to our grids so that we can phase out legacy fossil generation assets with new green generation technologies seamlessly, regardless of power quality, intermittency, or current type.

The adoption of BESS at grid scale requires careful and methodical engineering practices focused on safety, reliability, cost, AND environmental impact must be applied. AI-driven computerized power system modeling and simulation tools help us to precisely insert BESS assets at the proper locations within a grid segment so that we can dispatch power optimally rather than just-in-time (or before it is too late). ?Locating BESS assets at or near T&D substations makes grid interconnection efficient, avoids NIMBY objections, and keeps the public safe. Integrating cybersecurity into BESS requirements ensures that the assets are under grid control and available when needed. Available Power, LLC is developing grid interconnected BESS projects now. Reach out to me directly to join our efforts to help accelerate the transition to "green grids". The investment will drastically improve our power grid infrastructure, create massive manufacturing opportunities and jobs, and enable the grids to “go green” without compromise. [email protected]