Are battery energy storage systems causing noise?

Image: Wartsila. The noise of battery energy storage system (BESS) technology has “exploded” as a concern in the last six months, an executive from system integrator Wartsila ES&O said. BESS units primarily emit noise from their cooling systems, but balance of system (BOS) components like inverters and transformers also produce noise emissions.

Why is noise a key environmental impact challenge?

Noise has emerged as a key environmental impact challenge in the development of BESS. But why? In our work with BESS, the noise is commonly associated with the battery and inverter modules’ heating and cooling systems, with the use of fans and compressors being the main emitters.

Did NMS conduct a noise study for a new battery energy storage facility?

In July, 2022, NMS was retained to conduct a detailed noise study for a new Battery Energy Storage Facility near Los Angeles (for confidentiality purposes, no identifying client or site information is included in this article). The facility consisted of over 300 batteries, over 60 PCS units and two transformers covering about 6 acres of land.

Are noise emissions increasing with energy density?

More sophisticated cooling systems mean that the noise emissions are not necessarily growing with the increased energy density, however. Inverter and BESS firm Sungrow pointed out to in a recent interview that its latest generation product increased the energy-per-container from 2.5MWh to 5MWh but the max noise emissions went from 79dB to 75dB.

What are the main noise sources from a Bess facility?

The main noise sources from a BESS facility are: Like any electronic device, grid scale battery systems operate most optimally and safely at an ideal temperature and humidity. Therefore, various air or liquid cooling and heating systems are used.

Does a Bess system emit a lot of noise?

BESS units primarily emit noise from their cooling systems, but balance of system (BOS) components like inverters and transformers also produce noise emissions. Growing deployments mean projects are being built nearer to populations and in more population-dense regions, creating potential problems for local acceptance.