Accra New Energy Storage Cabinet BESS

What is Bess energy storage?

BESS is another form of energy storage, similar to the more familiar pumped storage hydropower. Batteries do not generate electricity, rather their value lies in a range of ancillary services that can enhance system stability throughout the electricity supply chain.

Which battery chemistries are relevant to Africa's grid-scale energy storage needs?

BESS includes multiple conventional and novel battery chemistries. The study identified seven2 commercially available and eight emerging3 battery options that are potentially relevant to Africa’s current and future grid-scale energy storage requirements. Among the commercial technologies, lithium-ion batteries are best known.

Why do we need a Bess battery storage system?

BESS are of particular interest as they offer dispatchable storage with sizing and locational flexibility i.e. allowing deployment at varying scales in proximity to the location where grid flexibility is needed. This focus on BESS is also cognisant of the World Bank Group’s USD1 billion global battery storage programme, announced in 2018.

Does Bess work in Africa?

Experience in the African context is even more limited with very few grid-scale BESS projects that are operational. As an emerging technology it is expected that technical performance will continue to mature and improve. Already, rapid and significant improvements have been seen across most performances metrices.