Battery storage plants in power systems

Being of modular design, battery storage plants have the advantage that they can be used in a distributed configuration in power supply systems. The cost-effectiveness of such a configuration depends on the first-time costs, the existing network conditions, and the electricity tariff rate concerned. Studies have shown that battery storage plants with high-energy batteries are technically sound and can be profitable in operation. Two pilot plants with high-energy sodium-sulphur batteries are currently being operated, one by an urban power utility and one in production centre, in order to study their behaviour in the field. Such plants can be used for voltage back-up, load-frequency control, and in combination with alternative energy sources in isolated networks.