Powering chiller systems with BESS
Introduction
Cooling is critical. If you're an engineering manager, production lead, or energy manager, you know what’s at stake. Powering industrial chillers isn’t simple and when chillers fail or enough power isn’t available, operations stop.
The challenges
High start-up currents
Chiller compressors demand huge inrush currents. They can push grid connections or generators to their limits. The result? Outages or inefficient, oversized equipment.
Variable demand
Chiller loads fluctuate. Generators get oversized to cope with transient loads. They then run below optimal efficiency when powering the base load. Fuel-burn increases and efficiency drops.
Grid constraints
New builds. Temporary events. Remote sites. Limited mains supply. When the grid falters, cooling is at risk.
Sustainability pressure
Keeping things cool isn’t enough. You need to cut carbon and fuel use - and maintain uptime.
All of these issues lead to inefficient, costly, high-emission power setups. There is a smarter way.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Delivering smarter power for chillers.
BESS changes the equation. Used standalone or in hybrid systems, it directly tackles chiller power challenges.
Effortless start-ups
BESS acts as a power buffer. It delivers the surge compressors need. Generators are protected from stress. This often allows the generator to be downsized.
Optimal efficiency. Less fuel
BESS smooths fluctuating loads. Generators operate in their sweet spot, typically 70–90% load. That’s peak fuel efficiency. The result? Lower fuel costs and reduced operational spend.
Built-in resilience
BESS delivers instant, high-quality power. It safeguards against grid instability and interruptions.
Lower emissions
Reduced generator runtime means lower fuel use. That means significantly lower CO₂ emissions.