Are Home Batteries the Answer to Energy Efficient Buildings?

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues that we are confronted with in this modern age. Innovations are coming in at a steady pace, yet our environment seems to be taking the hardest hits from these breakthroughs.

It is a global challenge that spares no person, since its effects can be felt throughout the world. There are tons of myths spewing around as to what caused it, and how it can be fixed but there are real, palpable changes that everyone is undoubtedly faced with.

One of the things that causes climate change is the population increase. In 1750, there were

actually fewer than 800 million people that inhabit the earth. This is a huge difference to the

current 7.5 billion people that currently occupy the world.

As the world’s population grows, the effects on housing needs and the environment in general can definitely be felt by everyone. More people means that we are using more of our natural resources than before, which leads to an increase in energy demand and production as well. This sheer human impact is enough to result in a quick rise in our global temperature, bringing about disastrous consequences along with it. The ugly parts of climate change manifest in violent and erratic weather, which causes a butterfly effect that negatively impacts our day-to-day lives.

Times are truly different now, and what traditional methods we had for construction back then

are no longer sustainable with the demands we have now. A quick trip down memory lane will instantly bring about memories of friendlier weather, and less congestion in cities. However, it is a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of our busy neighbourhoods at present.

This is why it is incredibly important for us to reduce our carbon footprint in our own ways. By

making conscious choices, we will be able to ensure that our future is a better one.

One way to do this is through the use of renewable energy sources. Green has been the

buzzword of most housing designers and developers, but what is it really?

What are renewable energy sources?

In any discussion of environmental change, renewable energy is always present and it deserves to be on every list as to how we can help save the environment.

Renewable energy is energy from sources that organically replenish themselves. These usually come in the form of energy that stems from natural resources, such as wind, sunlight,

geothermal heat, and tides, just to cite a few.

So how important are renewable energy sources? Aside from the fact that it can be a perpetual resource that we can harness instead of relying on resources that harm the earth, it presents a multitude of other benefits as well.

Replacing our fossil-fuel dependence with something more sustainable is not a change that can happen overnight, but we’ve gathered a couple of reasons that may urge you to take the first step.

1. Reduced global warming

This one is a bit on the nose but, as we prefaced in this article, human activity is one of the core reasons why our greenhouse gases have been impacting our environment.

In contrast to using up electricity, renewable energy sources put out little to none when it comes to global warming emissions! Even if you factor in the flow of the emissions of sustainable energy, the effects are minimal when juxtaposed to traditional energy sources.

Replacing our carbon-focused energy sources with renewable energy supply will significantly be a game-changer when it comes to reducing emissions.

2. Improvement of global health

While we may not be able to see just how wide the scope of our carbon footprint is, our health may be taking some of the worst effects. The air and water pollution that is brought about by natural gas plants and coal has been linked to multiple health problems. These health implications range from respiratory ailments, neurological damage, heart problems, and even more issues that are still being continuously uncovered to this day.

A lot of these negative health impacts are caused by pollution that renewable energy will be

able to save you from. Renewable energy sources such as wind and air are not associated with these emissions that lead to pollution, which can ultimately result in illnesses among the people.

Apart from saving us from air pollution, it helps keep our water sanitised as well. Since most of these renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, use little to no water, you’ll be

assured by the fact that you are helping water stay clean for everyone.

This is a great improvement compared to fossil fuels that significantly alter the quality of our

water. The supply of water, may it be for drinking or other purposes, is tainted by thermal power plants and other resources that can make it harder to have access to a clean source.

3. Perpetual source of energy

The most important keyword here is renewable. Since sunny days, strong winds, heat

emanating from the earth, and rapidly-moving water is a reliable source of energy, we can

depend on a resource that will be able to replenish itself in the foreseeable future.

In spite of this, only a relatively small portion of the population harness these incredible

resources to their full potential. Thankfully, studies have shown that utilising these renewable

energy sources will be able to partake in a huge chunk of our electricity needs in the future.

4. Reliability

Have you ever experienced a power outage due to an overload in the demand for electricity, or for any other reason? It is a huge inconvenience, and can even cause you to lose your files if you are on your computer or, worse, even cause accidents and hazards.

Thankfully enough, renewable energy sources are not as prone when it comes to large-scale

failure. This means that even if the power goes out in your neighbourhood, you will be able to enjoy electricity stored up, thanks to your alternative energy sources.

As our nation moves to stray away from coal and reduce our dependence on it, a new key

player in renewable energy comes in the picture: batteries.

Batteries aren’t a brand-new concept, and they have been around for years. We commonly see their smaller forms around, in the form of household appliances, but did you know that it would be perfect for an alternative source of energy for your home or your building as well?

We use batteries every day, but using it in conjunction with renewable energy production is the fresh new thing in terms of green buildings.

Here’s the thing about the forms of renewable energy that we’re all accustomed to it: even

though they’re long lasting and reliable on their own, they need certain conditions to be

maximised to their fullest potential.

What we mean by this is that in terms of wind turbines, they need strong gusts of wind in order to be powered up. On the other hand, solar panels literally thrive off of sunlight, which may not be a great option if you are someone who lives somewhere that snows all the time. They are great options to kickstart your green home, but these pitfalls may be a headache for some.

This is where batteries come in to save the day. It’s undeniable that the two main sources of

renewable energy in the world right now are, in a way, variable. Since they are variable, you

may have a hard time if you solely depend on these as your main source of power supply.

Aside from being variable, they are also not dispatchable. What we mean by this is that they can not be switched on and off, or relocated depending on the grid’s need. In lay man’s terms, they are unable to adjust to the grid, and it is the grid that has to adjust to them.

To curtail these cons, we’re here to talk about the new pro in renewable energy: batteries.

How can batteries be used for homes and buildings?

Batteries are actually one of the ways you will be able to save on utility costs! Once they’ve

been booted up and charged in conjunction with your renewable power supply, you will be able to have the assurance of batteries in case the power goes out.

All you have to do is make sure that you keep one on stand-by so that you can immediately

switch to it in case you feel like you have been consuming too much electricity, or if you’re in

need of power support during black-outs.

Of course, the size of battery and power you need out of it is largely dependent on the size of your home or business. You should carefully consider what your day-to-day electricity needs are, and research which one will be the best fit for you.

To help you out with making your choice, we’ve compiled a list of all the types of batteries you can choose from.

Types of Batteries

Domestic

Domestic battery systems are the perfect partner to new or existing Solar PV (Photovoltaic)

Arrays, allowing you to store the energy that your panels generate during the day, and use it

overnight.

Domestic battery systems start as small as 250Wh, and can scale to upwards of 10kWh

depending on the size of your home and your Solar PV Array.

Installing a battery system allows you to maximise the utility of your renewable energy source, minimising the amount of energy sold to the grid and maximising your energy savings – further reducing your reliance on grid electricity. This is possible as peak household energy use usually occurs in the early morning and late evening, when solar energy availability is lower – a shortfall that batteries can compensate for.

These domestic batteries are not just for homes and buildings! Your vehicles can benefit from it, too. For motorists with PHEVs (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles) or BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles), a domestic battery can allow you to charge your vehicle overnight, using energy that was generated during the day. This further reduces the carbon footprint of your vehicle, compared to using grid energy, maximising the environmental benefit.

Commercial

Commercial batteries range from small and large-scale commercial battery systems, suitable for all premises from small offices to large industrial complexes. Since there are various needs when it comes to commercial buildings, there are those that provide battery systems of any capacity, either in an existing building, or in a stand-alone container. We recommend that you take your time and consider how much power you will need, since commercial buildings tend to consume a lot of electricity.

Containerised Energy Centres

Containerised Energy Centres are packaged in standard 10ft, 20ft and 40ft container formats, and can be built as battery-only systems, or as hybrid energy centres with generator backups – ideal for off-grid solutions.

Both the battery-only and hybrid energy solutions can work in harmony with Solar PV Arrays,

maximising their utility, minimising your energy bills and reducing your reliance on the grid.

The hybrid energy centres, when coupled with a properly sized Solar PV Array, can provide

complete off-grid solutions for remote installations, or for installations where the cost of a grid

connection would be prohibitive. Combining hybrid energy centres with a Solar PV Array can

also significantly reduce your carbon footprint, compared to using grid electricity, helping you

meet emissions targets and regulations.

Benefits of Opting for Batteries

If you need a little more convincing as to why investing in batteries for your home or business is the right move, then here are the benefits to help solidify your decision:

1. Maximise your power consumption. You will be able to use and store solar power at the same time, which makes efficient use of your renewable energy source.

2. Be able to power your home or building even if there is no connection in the grid

3. Help save the earth.

4. Save on utility bills.

Why You Should Definitely Invest in Batteries

Batteries are a great way to make sure that nothing goes to waste. Through batteries, you will be able to harness and maximise the power readily available, while helping reduce your own carbon footprint.

If you have already taken the first step to a green building by purchasing solar panels, then

getting batteries to store excess energy is the perfect choice for you.

Have you been looking for the best batteries to have in your home or building? Renewable Specialist is the most trustworthy and reliable provider around! Renewable Specialist are specialists in lithium-ion batteries, covering both small-scale domestic, large-scale commercial, and containerised energy centres! Send us a message to learn more about these.