BESS systems: the solution to guarantee continuity and savings in your company

Energy storage systems (BESS) have become a key technological solution for companies with high levels of industrial energy consumption and, as such, need to adopt best practices in energy efficiency.

In Mexico, where most energy consumption comes from businesses rather than residential areas, these systems not only guarantee a stable power supply in the event of possible overdemand failures in the grid, but also reduce electricity bills through strategies such as peak shaving, load shifting, and integration with renewable energies.

What are BESS systems and why are they key in industry?

A BESS system is much more than a set of batteries. It integrates advanced software and hardware that optimize energy consumption, resulting in significant savings. Their versatility allows them to operate both on a scheduled basis and in emergency situations, ensuring continuity of power supply.

In industry, these systems are essential for ensuring the continuity of critical processes, improving energy quality, and optimizing energy consumption. According to the National Energy Control Center (CENACE), BESS are a strategic tool for modernizing the national power grid, especially in industrial areas with high demand, and are key for five main reasons:

1. They allow energy to be stored during off-peak hours and used during peak periods, which translates into direct savings on electricity bills of up to 35%.
2. Sustainability: they store energy generated in the grid by cleaner technologies, generating a positive environmental impact by emitting less CO2eq into the atmosphere.
3. They can be added to hybrid BESS + solar photovoltaic projects. Each system will generate savings on the bill, which when added together will generate much greater savings on the total cost of the bill.
4. They store surplus energy from sources such as solar or wind, mitigating their intermittency.
5. They compensate for voltage and frequency fluctuations, improving the quality of the grid and the power supply.

Protection against power outages and grid failures

One of the greatest risks to industry is power outages, which can result in millions of dollars in losses due to production stoppages. BESS act as an energy backup together with UPS in the event of an outage, providing automatic backup power (in zero milliseconds) and allowing both facilities and critical equipment to remain operational for extended periods.

In Mexico, where grid reliability is a challenge, industries such as manufacturing, mining, and data are adopting BESS to prevent damage to sensitive equipment from micro-outages, penalties for breach of contract due to unscheduled downtime, and loss of productivity on automated production lines.

Peak Shaving: How to reduce your electricity bill by up to 35%

Peak shaving is a strategy that allows industries to reduce their peak demand and energy consumption during the most expensive periods. This makes energy consumption more efficient.

CFE applies peak demand charges called “capacity charges” to energy bills, calculated on the highest peak demand (kW) recorded monthly during peak hours (6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.). This can represent up to 35% of the total cost of an industrial electricity bill.

BESS systems optimize bills through peak shaving and load shifting strategies: they store energy during base hours (from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.) when rates are lower, and discharge it during peak hours when rates are highest. By modifying the consumption profile in this way, the same amount is consumed, but at a lower cost.

This reduces both the energy (kilowatt-hours) consumed at peak times and the peak demand (kilowatts), which is the most expensive part of the bill. As a practical example, let’s say that if the highest peak of the month is 380 kW, the CFE will charge approximately $470 pesos for each kW of that peak. If a company reduces its peak demand from 380 kW to 80 kW, it could save approximately $141,000 MXN per month on the kW demand charge alone. In addition, it would benefit from lower rates by shifting its energy consumption to base or intermediate hours, adding to those savings.

This synergy between operational and financial efficiency makes BESS a strategic investment for the business sector. By reducing the amount of money they have to invest in energy, companies can use those savings to become more competitive in their own sectors.

You may be interested in this article: Peak Shaving: transforming energy savings

Integration with renewable energies for greater sustainability

BESS systems not only offer economic savings, but also enable companies to move towards more sustainable operations. Although they operate independently of renewable energy systems (such as solar panels or wind turbines), their strategic combination can maximize energy efficiency and economic savings, as well as positive environmental impact.

Contrary to what some people think, BESS systems do not compete with renewable energies such as solar or wind, but rather work in a complementary manner.

BESS are charged during the early morning hours, taking advantage of lower rates and less polluting energy (since at these times the CFE uses cleaner sources to generate energy for the grid). They then discharge the previously stored energy during peak hours, which is when the grid generates its energy using fossil fuels. As a result, companies are using energy generated by cleaner technologies. And they can measure that environmental impact in kg of CO2 eq avoided. In addition, solar systems operate mainly during off-peak hours (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), generating clean energy that is consumed directly in industrial operations. This strategic combination offers a double benefit: while the BESS reduces peak polluting consumption, the solar panels reduce energy consumption during off-peak hours. Both systems work independently but in coordination, each during its most efficient time slot, thus maximizing positive environmental impact, economic savings, and energy performance without interference.

Key factors for choosing the best BESS system for your company

When selecting a BESS system, it is essential to consider several factors to ensure its effectiveness and profitability:

• Determine the appropriate storage capacity (kWh) and output power (kW) based on the company’s energy needs. These systems are customized and adapted to each customer and electricity bill.
• Determine the use of the BESS system. If it is used to generate savings, for backup, or both, the sizing of the BESS will be different.
• Choose suppliers with proven experience, who offer reliable technical support and ongoing maintenance, and who are solid companies with more than 20 years in the market (since BESS have a useful life of 20 years).

In summary, implementing the right BESS system not only improves the operational resilience of businesses, but also optimizes energy costs and contributes to environmental sustainability. At Industronic, we are here to advise you on the best option for your company. Contact us!