As the Internet of Energy (IoE) and energy transition evolve further, data management will play an important role in improving efficiency and reliability of BESS operations.

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) are becoming more and more crucial in modern smart grids as the global energy transition speeds up. Smart grids rely on them to balance and stabilise their loads. The development goals of smart grids include enhancing grid resilience and stability, supporting reliable power supply in microgrids and off-grid systems, and achieving a balanced integration of renewable energy. The key to these goals lies in robust data management capabilities, involving the seamless integration of data flow and energy flow. By collecting, monitoring, analysing, and optimising real-time data, we can ensure the efficient operation and reliability of energy systems.

Renewable Energy Integration: Balancing Intermittency with Flexible Dispatch

The integration of renewable energy depends heavily on BESS because wind and solar power supplies are unreliable and susceptible to weather, day-night cycles, and seasonal changes. During surplus, BESS stores electricity and releases it during shortages, ensuring grid stability. A prime example of photovoltaic energy integration is in California, which houses a massive 3 GWh energy storage facility. Because of its substantial solar power generation, California often experiences energy surplus during peak daylight hours and shortages during the night or on cloudy days. By storing excess solar energy and releasing it during peak demand, this facility avoids solar curtailment and efficiently smooths out energy demand fluctuations. To achieve flexible deployment, real-time monitoring and analysis of energy flow is necessary, along with optimising the charge-and-discharge process and ensuring efficient use of renewable energy.

Grid Management Support: Enhancing Resilience and Reliability Modern grids face a range of challenges, including load fluctuations, equipment failures, and natural disasters. With its rapid-response backup power, BESS helps in the swift restoration of grids during emergencies, thus strengthening grid resilience. One example is Australia’s biggest battery storage project, with a capacity of 1.68 GWh, which aims to enhance the resilience of the New South Wales grid. In a matter of seconds, this storage system can respond to grid demands and deliver instant backup power to handle unforeseen equipment failures and load fluctuations. Additionally, it balances the integration of new and traditional energy sources, optimises the distribution of power resources, and reduces peak load pressure. Data management plays a crucial role in these processes, enabling real-time monitoring and analysis of grid and battery conditions, and providing precise operational guidance and forecasts. This ensures the system operates efficiently, enhancing grid reliability by maintaining a stable power supply.

Microgrid and off-grid applications: Supporting localised energy management

For remote areas and developing countries, electricity availability remains a major challenge. BESS offers sustainable and adaptable solutions, operating within microgrids or off-grid systems, ensuring a dependable power supply for these regions. By creating independent energy systems, BESS delivers stable and efficient power, driving socio-economic growth and boosting energy self-sufficiency.

For example, the Bahariya Oasis microgrid BESS project in Egypt combines large-scale solar inverters and energy storage systems to establish a microgrid for local businesses. Given geographical limitations and insufficient infrastructure, local renewable energy must be used as the primary energy source. This system mainly uses solar power, reducing reliance on diesel generators. This provides continuous reliable energy supply while significantly lowering environmental impact. By collecting and analysing comprehensive OT data, this project improves energy management, predicts maintenance needs, cuts costs, and prolongs equipment lifespan.

Data management: The intelligence behind BESS

Data management is at the core of BESS’s efficient operation. Through the collection, analysis, and management of data, BESS monitors energy flow, battery status, and system performance in real time. Operators use this data to make precise decisions, for example, determining the best times for charging and discharging and predicting energy demand. Moreover, predictive maintenance through efficient data management enhances system maintainability, extending equipment’s life cycle and reducing failures, thereby lowering operating costs. As the Internet of Energy (IoE) and energy transition evolve further, data management will continue to play an important role in improving the efficiency and reliability of BESS operations—providing a solid foundation for the future of smart grids.

Discover more details about Moxa's Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) solutions: https://www.moxa.com/bess

SAFE S.p.A to supply hydrogen compressors for the H2 farm project in Sicily

SAFE S.p.A., a leading company in the distribution and compression of hydrogen, biomethane, and natural gas, has announced the signing of an agreement with Agrobiofert S.r.l., a Sicilian agricultural company renowned for adopting sustainable solutions for typical local crops such as citrus fruits, grains, and vegetables.

The agreement includes the supply of a 30-foot cabin containing two high-efficiency hydraulic compressors with three combined compression stages, enabling a pressure of up to 450 bar. The solution, entirely designed and manufactured in Italy, also includes logic control panels, command systems, and cooling systems. Thanks to its duplex configuration, the system ensures operational continuity: each compressor can operate independently, minimising the risk of downtime.

Additionally, the hydraulic compressors allow the hydrogen flow to be modulated without the need for inverters, leveraging their hydraulic circuit for greater efficiency and operational simplicity.

These compressors will optimise the management of hydrogen produced by the H2 Farm project, an integral part of the Sicilian Hydrogen Valley located in Priolo Gargallo (Syracuse).

The project, funded by PNRR resources and promoted by the Sicilian Region, aims to build a 2.5 MW plant for green hydrogen production powered by photovoltaic energy, regenerating a decommissioned industrial area.

Maurizio Musco, Environmental Lawyer and Advisor for Agrobiofert, stated, "The collaboration with SAFE enables us to integrate advanced technologies for hydrogen storage and distribution into our plant, which are essential elements for the success of the H2 Farm project. This investment not only enhances the sustainability of our agricultural activities but also demonstrates that the primary sector can play a central role in the energy transition."

SAFE compressors will allow for the storage and distribution of hydrogen, contributing to the decarbonisation of Agrobiofert's operations and improving the plant's energy efficiency. This agreement, following the success of the collaboration with the Port of Kleipedia in Lithuania, demonstrates how agriculture can also consider hydrogen a viable solution for long-term decarbonisation and sustainability.

Giovanni Maccini, Commercial Director of SAFE S.p.A., added, "This agreement with Agrobiofert represents a significant step in our commitment to suppot the energy transition. Hydrogen is not only an opportunity for the industrial sector but also a key resource for reducing emissions and improving sustainability in the agricultural sector. We are proud to provide our expertise and technology for such an innovative project, contributing to the creation of a Hydrogen Valley in Sicily."

The delivery of the compressors is scheduled for late summer 2025, in line with the operational start of the H2 Farm plant.