Schneider Electric Unveils Comprehensive Battery Energy Storage Solution for Microgrids

Schneider Electric, the worldwide frontrunner in digital innovation for energy management and automation, has introduced a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), an intelligently architected cornerstone of a highly efficient, adaptive, and holistic microgrid solution. This system operates under the control and efficacy of Schneider Electric's renowned digital and field services.

The freshly unveiled BESS by Schneider Electric has undergone rigorous testing and validation to ensure compatibility with the EcoStruxure Microgrid Flex, a pre-designed microgrid solution, more efficient and quicker to deploy, crafted to meet resilience, sustainability, and energy efficiency requirements.

Graybar, a prestigious provider of electrical, data networking products, supply chain management and communication services, will be the foremost channel partner for the novel BESS by Schneider Electric, included as an element of the EcoStruxure Microgrid Flex system. Graybar's robust portfolio of solutions is increasingly incorporating renewable energies.

Jana Gerber, Schneider Electric's North America Microgrids President, said, "With a distinguished 20-year trajectory in battery conversion, we are thrilled to launch an all-encompassing solution honed to fill various energy needs. We aim to rationalize energy spending and augment the use of renewables like solar PV. Collaborating with Graybar, who share our vision for renewable energy solutions, can only speed our endeavor."

The BESS, a component of a microgrid system, captures and accumulates energy from a variety of sources, storing it in rechargeable batteries for future consumption. It is the Distributed Energy Resource enabling multiple user energy cases including resiliency, grid services, renewable self-consumption, variable generation smoothing, demand-charge reduction, and the decarbonization of electrical energy.

Comprising a battery management system, power conversion system, a battery system, and a controller, the BESS has been verified to operate as an inseparable part of Schneider Electric's standard microgrid solution, the EcoStruxure™ Microgrid Flex. This is fully incorporated into the software suite, including EcoStruxure Microgrid Operation and EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor. The BESS offers a scaleable setup and advanced safety features such as:

Complete Integration: This turnkey solution merges pre-integrated components, simplifying the engineering, installation and construction processes on site while cutting material and labor costs. Multiple BESS units can parallel to function as a cohesive network, with comprehensive integration of safety features, transformers, cooling systems, batteries, inverters, and controls, together delivering superior performance and efficiency. Certification and Compliance: This solution, compliant and fully certified under UL9540 certification, showcases modern fire safety system designs that align with the recent NFPA 855 standards. Effortless Maintenance & Installation: The ready-to-deploy system architecture minimizes onsite mistakes and substantially reduces the integration time, offering an efficiency above that of traditional custom-engineered designs. It also harmonizes easily with Schneider Electric's Energy Management Systems (EMS). Resilience: The system can connect bidirectionally to the grid and has the ability to function as an on-grid or off-grid operator. In emergencies or outages, the BESS can supply up to 2 MW of instant power. Continuity: Throughout the project's lifecycle, complete services and support are available, ensuring optimal maintenance and care during warranty implementation. There are two connection-ready BESS options - a 7-feet hybrid NEMA 3R Enclosure (both DC and AC coupled) and a medium-sized 20-feet NEMA 3R Enclosure (AC coupled). Configurations are available from 60kW to 2MW in both 2h and 4h durations.

The BESS can provide power to a broad spectrum of facilities such as commercial, office, and industrial structures; electric vehicles; and the grid.

"Our unrivaled Battery Energy Storage System represents a substantial advancement towards providing resilient, eco-friendly, and economic energy solutions to the market", Gerber added. "In the light of the global endeavor for net-zero targets and the requirement for grid enhancements, the BESS cleverly utilizes onsite generation capacities to generate significant energy savings and promotes the incorporation of renewables."

"Graybar is honored to pioneer the launch of Schneider Electric's high-end Battery Energy Storage System as the foremost channel partner" said Kathleen M. Mazzarella.