Resilience and Backup Power: Protecting Critical Processes

A battery storage system responds in milliseconds to grid outages. No interruption, no diesel, no startup delay. And during normal operation, it generates revenue.

Why Backup Power with Battery Storage?

Grid outages, voltage dips, and frequency fluctuations cost companies millions every year. Production lines halt, data is lost, cold chains break. Conventional solutions like diesel generators need 10 to 30 seconds to start up. For many processes, that is too slow.

A battery energy storage system (BESS) responds in milliseconds. The switchover is so fast that connected devices and processes experience no interruption. And unlike a conventional UPS or diesel generator, the BESS does not sit idle: during normal operation, it actively generates revenue through peak shaving, ancillary services, and arbitrage.

Dual-Use Principle

A BESS is simultaneously a backup power solution and a revenue source. During normal operation, it optimizes your electricity costs. During a grid outage, it protects your critical processes. The backup power function incurs no additional costs.

Response Time During Grid Outage Grid outage BESS ~20 ms UPS ~5-10 ms Diesel 10-30 sec. 0 100ms 5s 30s Critical gap without BESS BESS: uninterrupted Diesel: 10-30 sec. outage

BESS vs. Diesel Generator: The Comparison

Diesel generators have been the standard for backup power for decades. They have their place, but also clear disadvantages: slow startup time, fossil fuel, regular maintenance, noise, and emissions. And above all: they sit idle 99% of the time and still cost money.

A BESS reverses this model. It is active during normal operation, generates revenue, and provides the backup power function as an additional capability. No startup time, no emissions, minimal maintenance.

Hybrid Solution Possible

BESS and diesel can also work together. The storage bridges the critical first seconds without interruption. The diesel takes over during longer outages. This way you combine the best of both worlds.

BESS vs. Diesel Comparison BESS Diesel ~20 ms Response 10-30 sec. 0 liters Fuel Diesel storage 0 g CO2 Emissions CO2, NOx, noise Minimal Maintenance Regular Yes (multi-use) Revenue No (sits idle) Min. to hours Runtime Hours to days

Three Benefits at a Glance

ms

Millisecond Response

BESS responds in milliseconds to grid outages and voltage dips. No interruption, no data loss, no production halt. Faster than any diesel generator, faster than conventional UPS systems.

Multi

Multifunctional

Unlike conventional backup power solutions, a BESS earns money during normal operation. Peak shaving, ancillary services, and arbitrage run in parallel. The backup power function is an additional safeguard at no extra cost.

0 L

No Diesel Required

No fossil fuel, no emissions, no engine and tank maintenance. BESS is instantly ready, with no startup time. And unlike diesel: no fuel degradation problem from standing idle.

How Backup Power with BESS Works

01

Grid Monitoring

The EMS monitors grid voltage and frequency in real time. It detects voltage dips, frequency deviations, and grid outages within milliseconds.

02

Instant Takeover

During a grid outage, the BESS takes over power supply without interruption. The switchover occurs in milliseconds. Critical processes continue as if nothing happened.

03

Load Supply

The storage supplies the connected loads with power. The duration depends on storage capacity and actual consumption. Typical range: minutes to hours.

04

Return to Normal Operation

Once the grid is stable again, the BESS synchronizes and hands the load back. It then recharges and returns to normal multi-use operation.

Who Benefits from Backup Power with BESS?

Data Centers and IT Infrastructure

Server outages cost thousands of francs per minute. BESS bridges grid outages without interruption and gives diesel generators time to start up, or makes them entirely unnecessary.

Production and Manufacturing Lines

A voltage dip of just a few milliseconds can halt an entire production line. BESS buffers seamlessly and prevents costly production downtime and material losses.

Food and Pharmaceutical Industry

Cold chains and temperature-critical processes must not be interrupted. BESS ensures uninterrupted power supply and protects against spoilage and compliance violations.

Hospitals and Critical Infrastructure

Life-support systems, operating rooms, and medical equipment need uninterruptible power supply. BESS responds faster than backup diesel generators and bridges the critical first seconds.

Find all use cases in detail on our use cases page.

Discuss operational resilience for your facility

Together we assess how a BESS can protect your critical processes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A battery storage system responds in milliseconds to voltage dips and grid outages. The switchover is so fast that connected devices and processes experience no interruption. For comparison: a diesel generator needs 10 to 30 seconds to start up.

The bridging duration depends on storage capacity and actual consumption. With typical configurations, between 15 minutes and several hours. BESS can also serve as a bridge until a diesel generator or alternative grid takes over. NRG Solutions dimensions the storage to match your requirements.

A conventional UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is a pure backup system that provides no benefit during normal operation. A BESS actively generates revenue during normal operation through peak shaving, ancillary services, and arbitrage. The backup power function is an additional safeguard at no extra cost. Furthermore, BESS offers significantly higher capacities than typical UPS systems.

In many cases, yes. For short to medium outage durations (up to several hours), a BESS can fully replace the diesel generator. For very long outages, it can serve as a bridge until the diesel starts. The advantage: no emissions, no fuel storage, no startup time, less maintenance.

The costs depend on the required power rating and bridging duration. Since a BESS generates revenue during normal operation through peak shaving, ancillary services, and arbitrage, the effective additional costs for the backup power function are low to zero. NRG Solutions calculates the business case individually.

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