THE VALUE OF BATTERIES FOR SCHOOLS
Many schools are enticed by promises from ‘energy experts’ that rooftop solar will drastically reduce their electricity costs.
Often the energy experts have a vested interest in rooftop solar or don’t understand how the energy market works.
Looking at all components of an electricity bill at the same time, Change Energy has identified that installing a behind-the-meter battery (called Battery Energy Storge Systems or BESS) is a way of delivering measurable low-term savings.
A quick explanation of BESS Types
All BESS are essentially the same technology, allowing the shifting of energy.
The biggest difference is their application, either in-front of the meter or behind-the-meter.
This graph of recent energy prices starts to show the impact in the market of the large-scale BESS. The large-scale BESS now operating around the grid, charging during the day (soaking up excess electricity) and discharging into the grid late in the afternoon / early evening. The BESS are working to stabilise the grid but at a cost to customers.
By installing a BESS at a customer location, called behind the meter, the same effect can be mimicked capturing the lower day-time priced energy. Rather than putting that energy into the grid in the afternoon, the customer then consumes the energy from the BESS avoiding the high-priced afternoon energy.
A BESS installed at a customer location allows for energy arbitrage, displacing higher cost energy with lower cost energy, with the school getting the savings.
However, lower cost energy is just the start.
Change Energy, working with Western Power, has secured a discounted network charge when a BESS is installed at a customer location.
And the installation of a BESS can (when operated by Change Energy) result in the minimisation of capacity charges (often to zero).
By installation a BESS a school can cut their electricity bill by a third.
Savings not at the expense of emissions
When buying electricity from the grid, the school can request Change Energy buys renewable energy, which is then both consumed and stored in the BESS, for later use by the school.
This means the overall emissions are reduced by more than if just relying on rooftop solar alone.
Teaser for Next Issue: Change Energy says a BESS is the enabling technology – because by itself, a BESS doesn’t really do anything, it’s how it is operated in concert with the energy market that the savings are delivered. Next issue we will explain Managed Energy Services.
Is Your School Ready to Step Ahead of the Curve?
Now more than ever, schools across WA are recognising the need to take control of their electricity usage and reduce costs.
At Change Energy, we offer innovative, modern technology solutions that allow schools to unlock real savings on their energy bills while promoting smarter, greener energy use. From cutting-edge battery integration to intelligent energy management systems, we’re helping schools future-proof their operations and reinvest savings where they matter most—into education.
Is your school ready to take the next step? Register your interest today and discover how we can help your school lead the way in energy innovation.
