Battery energy storage system (BESS)
GÉNÉRALE DU SOLAIRE supports you in implementing a battery energy storage system (BESS) that enables you to generate sustainable income, enhance the value of your property and actively contribute to the stability of the French electricity grid.
How does battery-based electricity storage work?
A BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) is a device for storing electricity that enables energy, particularly that generated from renewable sources, to be stored and then released when needed.
Battery-based electricity storage optimises the French electricity system in three key ways:
- Grid stabilisation: the grid must maintain a constant balance between generation and consumption, otherwise incidents could occur potentially leading to a blackout. Energy storage plays a role in RTE’s system services to maintain this balance in real time.
- Reducing volatility in wholesale electricity prices: the electricity market experiences significant price fluctuations within a single day. Energy storage is ideally suited to absorbing this volatility and smoothing out prices.
- Integration of solar energy into the French energy mix: the rapid expansion of solar power is generating overproduction in the middle of the day. By storing electricity at noon and feeding it back into the grid in the evening, batteries coupled with solar farms help better match actual consumption needs.
Do you want to make the most of your land,
while helping to maintain the balance of the French electricity grid?
Contact our experts to support you in implementing a photovoltaic electricity storage solution using battery storage systems (BESS)!
What are the advantages
of a battery storage solution?
Land valorization
Additional income
Limited land footprint
Sustainable and reversible project
Low environmental impact
Fast development time
The main advantages of battery storage
- Maximising the value of your land: the battery storage system enables you to maximise the long-term value of your land by giving it a new energy-related use.
- Additional income: earn an annual rental income by installing a battery storage solution.
- Limited footprint: the storage battery installation is a compact facility (comprising battery containers and electrical equipment) that takes up very little space (less than 1 hectare).
- A sustainable and reversible project: support the energy transition through installations that can be dismantled at the end of their life cycle, with the site restored to its original condition.
- Low environmental impact: Générale du Solaire installs storage batteries in areas of low environmental sensitivity making these projects low-impact.
- Short development time: administrative procedures have been streamlined, resulting in an overall development time of 2 to 3 years before the project is commissioned.
The different types of battery storage systems: « hybrid » or stand-alone
Générale du Solaire offers two types of battery storage systems.
The « hybrid » model involves installing storage batteries that are directly integrated into a solar farm. Hybrid systems make it possible to optimise grid connection and to shift the times at which solar energy is fed into the grid.
For example, Générale du Solaire pioneered the « hybrid » model, with its solar power plant in Leforest.
Stand-alone projects, on the other hand, involve installing storage batteries at sites close to a power substations. The battery can then charge and discharge according to the needs of the electricity grid.
Why choose Générale du Solaire for a battery-baseed electricity storage solution?
Expertise
A key player in the sector since 2008, we are a French group, an independent green power producer and experts in solar projects. We master the entire photovoltaic project value chain, from development to operation.
Commitment to quality
and the environment
We are committed to quality in everything we do and have obtained ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications. As a member of the Soren association, we are already planning the future dismantling of photovoltaic power plants and the recycling of solar panels.
Flexibility and responsiveness
Flexibility and responsiveness are part of our DNA, enabling us to respond and adapt to the specific needs of each photovoltaic project.
FAQ
What are the eligibility criteria for installing a battery energy storage system on my property?
Générale du Solaire installs battery storage solutions on sites of more than 1,000 m², located in the immediate vicinity of a power substation (ideally within 1 km).
Is the fire risk under control in a battery storage project?
Battery storage projects are designed to comply with safety regulations. Their design, operation and maintenance are closely monitored to ensure the highest level of safety.
What is the lifespan of the batteries and can they be recycled?
The lifespan of battery storage systems is typically between 15 and 20 years, depending on operating conditions. At the end of their life, batteries are processed through approved recycling schemes, in accordance with the European Battery Regulation, which governs their traceability, collection, and recovery. This regulation ensures the responsible and sustainable management of batteries throughout their lifecycle.
What battery technology is used?
The most widely used technology for battery storage projects is lithium-ion, as it is recognized for its industrial maturity, high energy density, reliability, and strong performance in terms of charge and discharge cycles.
What is the typical duration of operating contracts?
Générale du Solaire generally enters into operating agreements with terms of 15 to 20 years for battery-based electricity storage projects.
