The key to the renewable energy era | How to choose a storage battery for home or industrial use
As renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power become more widespread, storage batteries, a way to use energy efficiently, are attracting attention.
Storage batteries, which store electricity and use it when needed, offer significant benefits to both homes and businesses, including reduced electricity bills, power outage preparedness, and CO₂ emissions.
This article provides a clear explanation of how storage batteries work, the benefits of installing them, and how to choose the right one.
1. What is the Basic Mechanism of a Storage Battery?
A storage battery is a device that temporarily stores electricity supplied from an external source and discharges it when needed.
It primarily uses lithium-ion batteries and is widely used in both residential and industrial applications.
Main Components of a Storage Battery
- Battery Unit: The heart of the battery, storing electricity.
- Power Conditioner (PCS): Converts AC and DC and connects to solar power generation and commercial power sources.
- Control System: Automatically manages charging and discharging, adjusting for efficient electricity use.
In recent years, AI-based energy management systems (HEMS and BEMS) have evolved, enabling automatic control of optimal power usage.
2. Benefits of Installing Storage Batteries
Installing storage batteries offers the following benefits to homes and businesses:
① Power outage prevention (ensuring power supply during disasters)
- Even if the power supply is cut off during disasters such as earthquakes or typhoons, the battery can still provide electricity.
- Maintains necessary power for refrigerators, medical equipment, communication equipment, etc.
② Electricity bill reduction (peak shifting)
- Saves electricity bills by charging late at night when electricity rates are low and discharging during the daytime when rates are high.
- Integrating with solar power generation increases the “self-consumption rate” and reduces the amount of electricity purchased.
③ Contributes to decarbonization.
- Storing and using surplus renewable energy reduces wasteful power generation and contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions.
- It also contributes to achieving carbon-neutral management.
3. Differences between Home and Industrial Storage Batteries
Storage batteries are divided into home and industrial types depending on their purpose and scale.
Home Storage Battery
- Capacity: Approximately 4-16kWh
- Typically used in conjunction with solar power generation
- Can supply electricity to the entire house or specific circuits during a power outage
- Price range: Approximately 700,000-2 million yen (subsidies may be available)
Industrial Storage Battery
- Capacity: Several tens of kWh to several MWh
- Introduced as a peak power reduction measure for factories and commercial facilities and as a BCP (Business Continuity Plan) measure
- Used for power demand control and power adjustment at renewable energy power plants
- Initial investment is high, but can be recouped over the long term through energy savings and disaster prevention
4. Checkpoints for Choosing a Battery
| Capacity (kWh) | Select a battery based on how much electricity you want to store and how much power you’ll need in the event of a power outage. |
| Output (kW) | How much stored electricity can be used at one time? High output is advantageous if you plan to use large appliances simultaneously. |
| Lifespan/Number of Cycles | Number of times the battery can be charged and discharged. Generally, 6,000 to 12,000 cycles is the standard. |
| Compatibility | Check compatibility with solar power generation and electric vehicles (EVs). |
| Installation Space and Environment | Choose an indoor or outdoor model that suits your environment, such as cold or hot and humid climates. |
| Subsidies and Tax Benefits | If you are eligible for local or national subsidies, you can significantly reduce your initial costs. |
5. Future Lifestyle Benefits of Introducing Storage Batteries
- Energy Preparation: Living with Peace of Mind Even in the Event of a Disaster
- Reducing Electricity Bills and Stabilizing Long-Term Household Finances
- Enjoying an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle by Maximizing Renewable Energy
- Companies Can Demonstrate Their Carbon-Free Management, Leading to the Achievement of SDGs and ESG Investment Evaluation
As the use of renewable energy and storage batteries increases, “local energy production and consumption” is likely to become the norm.
Make Wise Choices for Future Energy Plans
Storage batteries are “next-generation energy infrastructure” with a wide range of benefits, from disaster prevention to reduced electricity bills and environmental friendliness.
Selecting the right storage battery for your lifestyle and business scale by comparing capacity, lifespan, connectivity, and subsidy availability is the first step toward safe and sustainable energy use.