Energy Storage Systems for Homes: Is it Worth Buying?

Overviews

• What are Energy Storage Systems for Homes?
• Are Energy Storage Systems for Homes worth buying?
• How to choose Energy Storage Systems for Homes?
• FSP’s Recommendations!
• Conclusion

 

136 countries across the globe have committed themselves to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. In March 2022, the Taiwan government also announced its “Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050 and Strategic Overview” blueprint which sets out its path and action plan to achieving net zero and action through and to 2050. The goal of transitioning to net zero will be realized through the two pillars of climate governance and technological R&D. The 20% renewable energy goal is also expected to be realized by 2025.

Accelerated economic growth however means that electricity consumption is also increasing at a rate far quicker than expected. The original goal of 20% renewable energy will therefore not be realized until October 2026 at the earliest. Can we, in the face of a surge in electricity consumption by businesses and slower-than-expected roll-out of green energy infrastructure, support the push towards net zero emissions by 2050? In fact, a growing number of people are now generating power by installing solar panels at home! If you are installing solar panels, then an “Energy Storage System for Homes” (ESS) systems becomes an indispensable partner. In this article, we’ll give you the run-down on ESS and what to watch out for when choosing a system.

What are Energy Storage Systems for Homes?

Energy Storage Systems (ESS) for homes are systems which use energy storage technology to store generated electricity for the household’s future use. ESS can help meet the gap between electricity generation and demand by charging during off-peak hours and outputting electricity during peak hours. We can think of ESS as a water tower: In the past, water storage was the only form of storage everybody used. Now that elevators, electric vehicles, and even electronic locks have become a part of our everyday life, the consequences of power outages have become immeasurably greater as well.

In recent years, there has been an upward trend in the number of power outages caused by extreme climate around the world. People are becoming more aware of climate change and are hence more willing to install energy storage systems in response. Excess electricity can be stored and used to keep emergency and medical facilities in operation in the event disasters disrupt power supplies.

Image: Illustration of Energy Storage System for Home in action

Are Energy Storage Systems for Homes worth buying?

There is no cut‑and‑dry answer to the question of whether an ESS is worth buying. Factors to consider include affordability and practicality. For example, if you have a home solar power system, then adding an ESS means electricity generated during the day can be used at night. You will not only be running on green energy, but also reduce energy losses in the electrical system, hence lowering the overall cost of electricity and saving on your power bills.

That’s not all to it. If you apply for a feed-in connection to the Taipower grid, you can then sell your excess electricity to Taipower as another way of generating a return on your investment. Nevertheless, the real deciding factor is your own level of dependence on electricity. The true value of an ESS may lie in how much loss or damage an ESS can help you avoid during a power outage.

How to choose Energy Storage Systems for Homes?

How should we go about choosing an ESS? We’ve come up with a list of five essential elements you may to consider to help you pick the right ESS for your home!

1. Choosing ESS capacity

   Like water towers, size determines capacity. ESS capacity determines how much electricity it can store, and ESS capacity shares a similar unit to the kWh that appears on your home power bill. Home ESS are usually rated between 5 to 15 kW. Choosing a large‑capacity ESS may give you additional flexibility on how electricity stored in the system can be used should unexpected situations develop.

2. Choose products with warranty

   Check the products and services supplied by the system vendors before purchasing them. In addition to comparing the prices and specifications of different vendors, good after-sales service and maintenance are also important as well. ESS brands usually have a warranty period of 5 to 10 years.

3. How the surrounding environments affect the system

   When selecting an ESS, you should take your surroundings into account. This includes the ESS’s operating temperature, waterproofing rating, and humidity.

4. Pay attention to ESS energy loss

   Power supplied by the electrical system is usually converted from DC to AC for home use. Some energy is lost as heat in the conversion process. Losses usually range between 10% to 20%, so DC‑to‑AC efficiency is between 80% ~ 90%.

5. Choose a DoD ESS

   There is usually some residual energy left when an ESS is fully discharged. Depth of Discharge (DoD) refers to the maximum amount of energy that can be safely discharged. ESS with higher DoDs are usually safer.

FSP’s Recommendations!

Now that we know what ESS is, let’s now look at the ESS products from FSP. FSP started out producing power supply units, and is now developing new energy technologies. To support the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, FSP and its partners have focused their efforts on ESS and ESS solutions. Below are two FSP ESS products for home use:

• FSP PowerManager Hybrid 10/15kW: This hybrid product can operate in either off‑grid or grid‑connected mode. In addition to offering capacities of 10kW/15kW, it can also power 6 devices in parallel. Its operating status can be monitored in real-time with software to ensure its safety, and it features a high conversion efficiency of up to 96%, waterproofing rating of IP20, and an operating temperature range between -10 ~ +55 degrees Celsius. These features make such a high-capacity, high-performance product well-suited to users in Taiwan like us.

Image: PowerManager Hybrid (Product Introduction)

 

• FSP PowerManager Offgrid III: The product is an off-grid ESS. Although its capacity is a mere 5 kW, it outputs a steady Sine wave and can be monitored on a mobile phone through Bluetooth. This product also supports generators and cold starts. The operating temperature range and waterproofing rating of this product are between -10 ~ +55 degrees Celsius and IP20, respectively, and it boasts a high conversion efficiency of 90% to 93%, thus making it suitable for temporary backup applications.

Image: PowerManager Offgrid III（Product Introduction）

 

Conclusion

The deluge of electrical equipment in our modern lifestyle means electricity is now an indispensable resource. Amidst a backdrop of energy shortages, people are now increasingly turning to green energy and energy storage. Imagine this: One day, we can become completely self-sufficient in electricity by combining our rooftop solar system with energy storage equipment. We can also use the electricity as a backup power supply, or even sell it to Taipower. This will make our lives easier and thus provide more assurance. We believe that ESS for homes and businesses will one day become as common as water towers!

 

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