One of the biggest advantages of hiring site equipment is that you don’t need to worry about the longevity of the asset. You’ll always be supplied with a unit that is well within its operating lifespan.

However, more and more Think Hire customers, who have a regular requirement for battery energy storage systems (BESS), are finding that outright purchase makes better financial sense than repeatedly paying hire costs. In this situation, the effective lifespan of battery energy storage systems becomes an important factor.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the average lifespan of a BESS, what factors affect that lifespan, and how to extend the life of a BESS to get the maximum return on your investment.

What is the average lifespan of a BESS?

There are two ways to measure the lifespan of a battery energy storage system: chronologically and operationally. In terms of time, a BESS unit will last around 10-15 years, while in terms of charging, a BESS will last for at least 7,000 cycles.

The good news is that a BESS will not simply stop working as it ages, it will simply hold less and less charge. A unit that once stored 100kWh may only hold 80kWh as time goes by. While these units may no longer be fit for their original purpose, they can still be used elsewhere on site for less demanding operations.

What affects the life of a BESS?

If the numbers above appear somewhat vague, that’s because the effective life of a battery energy storage system is affected by a number of factors, which vary from site to site. These include:

• Depth of discharge – fully draining the battery each time will reduce its lifespan.

• Operating temperature – environmental factors, such as extreme heat and cold, will affect the unit’s chemistry and reduce its life

• Charge and discharge rates – repeated rapid charging or discharging will cause heat and chemical stress on the unit

• Maintenance – poor battery monitoring and maintenance will speed up degradation in a BESS unit 

How to extend the life of your BESS

Based on the factors above, there are several steps you can take in order to get the best from your BESS and extend its effective operational life. You can add years / multiple cycles to your battery energy storage system by:

• Avoiding full discharge – it is best not to discharge your BESS below 20% on a regular basis. Pairing your BESS with a back-up generator as part of your hybrid energy system, is the best way to avoid this. A back-up generator can be set to kick in automatically when the battery reaches a certain low charge level.

• Careful siting – choosing the right location for your battery energy storage system can make a big difference to its lifespan. Pick a shaded area, out of direct sun, and make sure the unit is well ventilated to allow effective cooling. Similarly, units should not be positioned in exposed locations where they will be susceptible to extreme cold.

• Managing charge/discharge – smart energy management can avoid unnecessary rapid charging or discharging by levelling out demand through peak shaving and load sharing. All Think Hire BESS come with energy management systems as standard.

• Monitoring and maintenance – smart energy management also allows you to monitor BESS performance to ensure optimal use. Think Hire will supply full maintenance details for your BESS and can arrange regular maintenance visits from our extensive team of field engineers if required.

Is it best to hire or buy a BESS?

It depends on your priorities. Lifespan is just one of the many factors to consider when making your choice, and every site and every company will have their own priorities. That’s why Think Hire offers both hire and outright purchase options.

We understand how difficult the decision can be, and we’re always happy to offer expert advice and guidance to help you make the right choice. We’ll lay out the pros and cons of each option clearly and simply, so you can make the right choice for you. 

To find out how to get the best value from your BESS, get in touch with our team today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do battery storage systems lose capacity over time?

Yes. Chemical degradation inevitably reduces the charge a BESS can store over time. However, units do not simply stop working and can be redeployed to less demanding applications elsewhere on site.

Can BESS be recycled at the end of their lifespan?

Yes. BESS batteries and other components can be recycled in specialist units in order to recover valuable materials for future use. Think Hire can advise you on where to send your old BESS units.

Can I extend the life of my BESS unit?

Yes. Through correct use, careful siting and smart energy management, you can avoid damage and degradation and extend the effective life of your BESS, significantly improving the return on your investment.

How does Think Hire help extend the life of my BESS?

Think Hire helps to extend BESS lifespans by including smart energy management with every unit. This prevents over discharging, avoids rapid charge or discharge and levels out the demands on the unit through peak shaving and load sharing.