C&I energy storage system stands for commercial and industrial energy storage system. It is the abbreviation of commercial and industrial energy storage system. C&I energy storage system is a storage device specially designed and developed for commercial and industrial fields to solve specific energy needs in commercial and industrial fields.
In recent years, C&I energy storage system has become more and more popular. This article will introduce you to commercial and industrial energy storage system in detail from all aspects.
Table of Contents
What is a C&I Energy Storage System?
C&I energy storage systems are energy storage devices designed and developed specifically for commercial and industrial fields to solve specific energy needs in commercial and industrial fields. C&I energy storage systems can flexibly adjust power supply for users, provide backup power, effectively manage power consumption, and reduce electricity costs.
Users no longer have to worry about the impact of power outages, and reduce energy costs while getting uninterrupted energy supply.
C&I energy storage systems currently mainly use lithium-ion batteries. Considering factors such as safety, cost-effectiveness, and long cycle life, most manufacturers choose to use lithium iron phosphate battery cells(LFP battery cells).
C&I energy storage systems are mainly used in hospitals, manufacturing plants, construction sites, schools, company office buildings, large shopping malls, and other places with high electricity consumption and the need to maintain a stable power supply. The amount of electricity it can store usually ranges from tens of kWh to hundreds of kWh. Customers can adjust their choices based on their energy needs and budget.
How do C&I Energy Storage Systems Work?
Simply put, C&I energy storage system is charged through solar panels or the power grid, and PCS converts solar energy or power from the grid during low-price periods into direct current(DC) and stores it in the battery. When needed (power outage or high-price period), PCS converts the stored power into alternating current(AC) to power commercial and industrial facilities.
Let’s take a look at the main structure of the C&I energy storage system and understand its working principle in more detail through its various components.
The C&I energy storage system is mainly composed of batteries, battery management system (BMS), power conversion system (PCS), energy management system (EMS), thermal management system and safety assistance system. It can be equipped with solar panels or connected to the grid for power supply.
1. Battery
Battery is one of the core components of C&I energy storage system, which is mainly used to store energy. How much power a storage system can provide is determined by its internal batteries. Currently, the most commonly used C&I energy storage systems on the market are 100 kWh, 215 kWh and 261 kWh.
2. BMS
BMS has the functions of battery balancing, preventing battery short circuit, overcharging, over-discharging, etc. It collects battery data, optimizes battery performance, and ensures safe and efficient operation of the battery.
3. PCS
The power conversion system (PCS) is mainly used for conversion between DC and AC. It can convert AC power in the power grid into DC power and store it in the battery, and it can also convert DC power stored in the battery into AC power to power the facility.
4. EMS
The energy management system(EMS) is used to monitor, control and optimize energy flow and energy consumption in an energy system. It can integrate resources such as solar energy or the grid to improve the efficiency of power supply and reduce energy costs, depending on demand.
5. Thermal Management System
The thermal management system can prevent the battery from overheating and keep the energy storage system running within a suitable range. Currently, the commonly used thermal management systems are mainly air cooling and liquid cooling. For the specific situation of the two, please refer to: air cooling vs. liquid cooling.
What are the Advantages of C&I Energy Storage Systems?
1. Maintain Stable Power Supply
C&I energy storage systems can continuously provide power to equipment when there is a power outage or unstable power supply. This prevents normal operations from being affected by power outages and causing loss of revenue.
2. Optimize Energy Management
The C&I energy storage system stores the electricity from the grid during off-peak hours and the electricity converted from clean energy such as solar energy and wind energy in batteries, and then uses it when needed. By integrating energy from all aspects, the overall energy consumption is reduced and energy management is optimized.
3. Reduce Electricity Costs
The C&I energy storage system reduces peak loads and fills valleys, allowing users to obtain a stable power supply while reducing electricity costs.
4. Grid Support
C&I energy storage systems can be connected to the grid, improving the reliability and stability of the grid and increasing additional income for users.
5. Environmental Benefits
It can maximize the use of clean energy, reduce carbon emissions, and achieve environmental protection and energy saving. It is conducive to enhancing the brand commercial value of the company or enterprise.
How to Choose a C&I Energy Storage System?
Seeing that C&I energy storage systems have so many advantages, you may want to equip your company or enterprise with such a system. But before purchasing, please pay attention to the cost, installation environment and power requirements, which will help you choose the most suitable and cost-effective product.
First, you need to know your electricity demand. For example, what is your usual electricity consumption? Can it be adjusted flexibly or does it require 24-hour uninterrupted power supply? How much electricity do you use every day? Different C&I energy storage systems are required for different electricity consumption situations.
Secondly, the installation environment is also very important. For example, indoors or outdoors? Is there enough space? Are there conditions for installing solar panels? The requirements for indoor and outdoor C&I energy storage systems are different, and the overall design will be adjusted for this. If there are no conditions for installing solar panels, it is best to connect to the power grid for use.
In addition, cost is also very important. We need to make budget planning according to our own situation so that we can buy the C&I energy storage system that suits us best.
Finally, if you think the above questions are troublesome and there are too many things to consider. You can also contact us at NBCELLENERGY. We will use our professional capabilities to recommend the best energy solution for you according to your situation. Of course, we can also customize products for your needs. We will work hard to achieve your energy goals!
Home Energy Storage System vs. C&I Energy Storage System
Both home energy storage systems and C&I energy storage systems use batteries to store clean energy and grid electricity to provide backup power for themselves to ensure the use and supply of electricity. So what is the difference between home energy storage systems and C&I energy storage systems
1.Capacity
Home energy storage systems are usually installed in the home, with a small amount of electricity consumption, so the system capacity is usually small. Generally, energy storage devices with a capacity of several tens of kWh are selected.
C&I energy storage systems are usually installed in industrial and commercial fields, with a large amount of electricity required, and the system capacity is usually large. Generally, energy storage devices with a capacity of several hundred kWh are selected.
2.Cost
Due to its small scale, the initial cost of home energy storage systems is relatively low, and the payback period is correspondingly shorter.
Due to its large scale, the initial cost of C&I energy storage systems is higher than that of home energy storage. However, the overall equipment is superior to home energy storage in terms of technology and scale, and can achieve greater economic benefits.
3.Application
Home energy storage systems are mainly used in homes, generally to power household appliances, with low loads and low system technology requirements.
C&I energy storage systems are mainly used in industrial and commercial fields, with diverse power supply conditions, generally high loads, high system technology requirements, and need to be adjusted according to customer energy goals.
4.Installation
The installation of home energy storage is relatively simple. Some products can be installed by users themselves.
The installation of C&I energy storage system is more complicated than that of home energy storage system. There are more issues to consider and it usually requires professional installation.
Containerized Energy Storage System vs. C&I Energy Storage System
Containerized energy storage system is very similar to C&I energy storage system. They both consist of core components such as batteries, BMS, PCS, EMS, etc., which have the function of storing electricity. So what is the difference between a containerized energy storage system and a C&I energy storage system? Their main differences are in size, cost, application and design.
1.Scale
The scale of containerized energy storage systems and C&I energy storage systems varies greatly.
The scale of C&I energy storage systems is usually in the hundreds of kilowatt-hours.
The scale of containerized energy storage systems is larger, usually in megawatts, but the scale is more standardized, such as a 20-foot containerized energy storage system.
2. Cost
C&I energy storage systems are smaller in scale, so their cost is naturally lower than that of containerized energy storage systems.
However, if C&I energy storage systems are customized, the average cost per kilowatt-hour of containerized energy storage systems may be lower than that of customized C&I energy storage systems due to their standardization and large-scale production.
3. Application
C&I energy storage systems are often used in manufacturing, data centers, large shopping malls, hospitals and other places, which have strict requirements on power quality and supply reliability.
Containerized energy storage systems are suitable for occasions where energy storage needs to be deployed quickly, such as temporary facilities, remote areas, disaster recovery sites, or as an auxiliary system for the power grid to balance supply and demand.
4. Design
C&I energy storage systems are designed to help commercial and industrial users optimize energy use, reduce power supply costs, and improve energy reliability. These systems sometimes need to be tailored to the specific needs of users to ensure seamless integration with existing power systems and business operations.
Containerized energy storage systems are known for their modularity, mobility, and rapid deployment. Systems are usually pre-installed in standard-sized containers and can be quickly transported to locations where power storage is needed.
C&I Energy Storage System Products
Below is the C&I energy storage system launched by NBCELLENERGY. As a professional lithium-ion battery company, our products are safe, reliable, efficient and stable. If you have other needs, you can also contact us: info@nbcell.com. We will provide the best energy storage solution to achieve your energy goals!
