How BESS helps the grid Rebaba's battery energy storage systems (BESS) reduce energy costs through peak shaving and load shifting, but they can also generate additional income through ancillary services - where grid operators pay for services that help keep the electricity grid balanced. However, most people are unaware of what they are, or that they even exist. This article gives a basic understanding of how they work and how batteries can support a more flexible and resilient grid. Maintaining balance Think of the grid like a huge system made up of thousands of cogs that all need to turn in sync. In Europe, that shared rhythm is a frequency of 50 Hz. If more electricity is produced than used, the system speeds up slightly, but if demand exceeds production, it slows down. Small deviations are normal, but if the frequency moves too far from 50 Hz, parts of the system can start falling out of sync and operating outside their safe limits, so they automatically disconnect from the grid to avoid damage. If enough parts disconnect, it can result in blackouts. To keep the grid stable, grid operators have to match supply and demand for energy constantly, producing more power when it's needed and reducing it when it's not. In practice this means turning generation up or down at power plants, or switching generation off completely for a short period. This works well for the most part, but it can be costly to manage at scale. It's also getting harder to do. Conventional power generatio
