What is the Bess consortium?

The BESS Consortium is a multi-stakeholder partnership set up to ensure these BESS benefits transform energy systems across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Consortium is on track to meet its target of securing 5 GW of BESS commitments by the end of 2024 and deploying these by the end of 2027.

Does a Bess project provide a security of supply?

The BESS project will have a finite duration, so may not provide the same level of security of supply. In some cases, the need for other dispatchable capacity may not be reduced, although the utilization of some capacity may be reduced.

How long does a Bess project last?

Specific tests on the performance of BESS subsystems. Confirm the ability of BESS subsystems to operate as expected for example SCADA, HVAC, fire suppression systems. Typically, BESS projects will have contracts lasting 8-10 years to match the maximum lifetime of available battery technologies.

How should a Bess system be sized?

The size of the BESS system will need to be tailored to the specific application being proposed. For example, if the system is tackling a local grid constraint, it should be sized to that constraint. The parameters that the system needs to be aligned with will depend on the application being implemented.

Will lithium-ion storage be a big part of Bess?

Lenders’ relative familiarity with lithium-ion technologies and their advanced use in other storage applications (like electric vehicles) make them well placed to take up a large share of the BESS deployment in coming years.

How is a Bess compared to a project cost?

For projects tackling grid constraints, the project cost should be compared to the cost of grid upgrades. If the BESS is being used to tackle a constraint in the transmission or distribution system, the economic benefit is related to the avoidance or the deferral of the investment in the related grid infrastructure.