Engineering is critical to the success of all renewable energy initiatives—such as energy storage (typically in the form of a battery) and solar photovoltaics (PV). Many of our customers are interested in pursuing renewable energy systems but do not always have the technical expertise or resources to design and implement a utility-scale or industrial-scale system. That’s why it’s so important to have a trusted partner every step of the way (spoiler alert: that partner is Convergent Energy and Power!). Our engineering team is responsible for a range of necessary processes—from system design and technical feasibility studies to navigating all interconnection and permitting applications.
We sat down with our Vice President of Engineering, Simi Falase, to discuss the role of engineering in bringing a renewable energy system online, including the many challenges and opportunities engineering teams face along the way.
[The following Q&A has been edited for clarity and brevity]
Q: What are the key considerations when designing an energy storage and/or solar PV system?
A: Engineering design hinges on several important considerations in the comprehensive process of defining a system. One key factor is land assessment, which involves evaluating the available buildable area and the parcel's proximity to the point of interconnection (POI). These aspects significantly influence the system's layout and feasibility, guiding infrastructure placement and resource utilization decisions.
After land assessment, the next step is permitting. Permitting entails understanding and adhering to local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements concerning civil/structural, electrical system, and safety system design.
The interconnection process poses its own set of processes. Engineers must analyze the interconnection voltage, assess available electrical generation and load capacity at the proposed POI, and comprehend utility/customer technical requirements (Simi covers the interconnection process in greater detail later in this blog).
Lastly, revenue stream considerations are essential for the system's financial viability. This includes determining the technical requirements for revenue program participation, such as system configuration (e.g., AC versus DC coupling), metering (e.g., net metering, aux load metering), and specific use cases (e.g., blackstart, islanding).
Collectively, these considerations guide the development of a precise engineering design that meets regulatory standards, optimizes performance, and achieves the desired solution outcomes.
Q: Can you explain how energy storage works and the basic components that make up an energy storage system?
A: Energy storage systems allow electricity to be stored—and then discharged—at the most strategic times. Today, Lithium-ion batteries, the same batteries that are used in cell phones and electric vehicles, are the most commonly used type of energy storage. Like the batteries in your cell phone, commercial-, industrial-, and utility-scale battery energy storage systems can be charged with electricity from the grid, stored, and discharged when there is a deficit in supply or when energy is most expensive. Increasingly, battery energy storage is being paired with solar PV, which maximizes the value of solar energy to the grid (i.e., storing solar-generated electricity for when it is cloudy or after the sun sets).
The basic components of an energy storage system include: