FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is BESS?
BESS is short for battery energy storage systems and offers an opportunity to store energy from the grid, solar or local generation and use it later. The batteries used in our designs are new (in Germany) or repurposed electric vehicle batteries (in Norway).
Are the BESS of ECO STOR turn-key, or are additional features necessary?
We always deliver turn-key systems, and our solutions include batteries, control systems, and inverters. As long as connections and fuses are ready on-site, all that is needed is electrical installation before you are good to go.
If your battery is installed in a building, there might be requirements to control temperatures in which case you may need to make adjustments to your HVAC system. Our container-based systems have HVAC and fire safety systems included.
Is it possible to check statuses, state of charge, and other battery system features?
Yes. All ECO STOR systems come with a web-based system that gives you live data from your battery system, including information on battery health and live updated expected lifetime of your system. ECO STOR also has remote access to your systems, and we get alerts if there are things needed to be looked at or when your system requires service.
What sizes BESS can ECO STOR deliver?
ECO STOR systems are fully scalable from single battery solutions and upwards to several hundred, meaning we can deliver systems ranging from 15kWh suitable for a residential house to several Mega Watts for grid support.
Are ECO STOR systems safe to use?
Yes. The batteries we use are made for electric vehicles, and they can withstand harsh environments. We test the batteries before we put them to use, and we have stringent rules in terms of safety. As we reuse the batteries, they will have the same qualities as an EV. Also, we make sure that the inverters and systems around the batteries apply to all standards and rules required to complete the battery energy storage systems we deliver safely to use.
Are repurposed EV batteries as good as new ones?
Yes. The high demands that EVs put on the batteries means that they can withstand more than an ordinary, new, stationary battery. ECO STOR uses tested batteries and has about 70% remaining capacity, compared to a new EV battery, making them just as good as new, commercial stationary batteries.
What is the lifetime of a 2nd life BESS?
The expected lifetime of an ECO STOR battery system is usually 7-10 years or 3-4000 cycles. The lifetime may vary greatly depending on how the system is used. If the system, for example, is needed to charge/discharge more than once per day, the lifetime will be shorter. The temperatures at the installment site will also influence the system’s lifetime.
We have different services regarding extended lifetime and warranties; please contact us for more details.
Is it possible to change a single battery in a system if needed?
Yes. ECO STOR makes systems so that changing batteries one by one is easy.
The individual lifespan of single batteries in a solution may differ for second-life batteries, making this an essential feature of our systems.
Also, since other parts of the system, like inverters and control units, have a longer lifetime than the batteries, prolonging the system’s entire lifetime by changing the batteries is essential.
We have different services regarding extended lifetime and warranties; please contact us for more details.
What happens to the battery energy storage system after the end of its lifetime?
After an ECO STOR system has done its job and no longer meets your needs, we can refurbish your system to extend its lifetime, or collect and recycle it at market price/kickback.
We have different services regarding extended lifetime and warranties; please contact us for more details.
What is an inverter?
A battery stores energy in direct current - DC, whereas the grid’s energy is alternating current - AC. To convert the energy from AC to DC and back again, a battery needs a device that converts the electricity going into the battery into DC power, whereas the electricity going out of the battery needs conversion to AC power. An inverter is a device connected to the battery that takes care of this.
Can I use any kind of inverter?
No. Several strict requirements are applied to an inverter to be deemed suitable for EV batteries. As a rule, we deliver our systems with inverters, but if you for some reason would like to acquire one yourself, we can assist you in defining what inverter to use. Over time, however, we will develop a library of supported inverters.
Please contact us for more information on this question.
Can the inverters of your batteries be used for solar cells as well?
Yes. We cooperate with solar cells suppliers to use identical inverters for batteries and solar cell panels, reducing cost by reducing the number of inverters and the amount of energy loss in the conversion processes. If you plan to install a battery system and solar cells, we recommend contacting us.
Why are battery energy storage solutions important?
Energy storage is changing the way we generate, deliver and consume energy. The stored energy can contribute to the immediate stabilization of both voltage and current in the power grids. Batteries offer a balance in power supply and demand with milliseconds response time, compared to minutes with the traditional supply response from hydro, solar, and wind generation.
Why do we need energy storage?
Saving consumers money lets consumers avoid premium pricing charged during peak-demand hours.
To amend the risk of power outages due to threats from terrorists, nature, and accidents.
Energy storage allows more renewable energy to be available, making existing power generation last longer, avoiding building new facilities, and not wasting the already existing surplus clean energy production.