As more renewable energy sources are installed within rural communities across Europe, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are emerging as a critical solution for maximising onsite generation and gaining true energy independence for Commercial & Industrial organisations.
In rural towns and industries across the UK, Germany & the Czech Republic in particular, BESS is enabling businesses to harness renewable energy more effectively given its intermittent nature and reduce reliance on the overstretched grid networks.
The focus now shifts from traditional rural electrification, typically seen in developing regions, to innovative energy solutions for advanced economies. Energy storage systems are empowering rural businesses such as those in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure and data centres to gain energy independence, using renewable sources like solar and wind.
Why rural areas struggle with the grid network
Rural areas in developed countries across Europe often face significant challenges when it comes to reliable and cost-effective power supply. Many rural regions struggle connecting to outdated grid infrastructure, leading to regular blackouts that can disrupt business operations. The high costs associated with extending and upgrading grid infrastructure to these areas for local authorities often make traditional solutions economically unfeasible.
In the UK, for example, the B6 boundary (Anglo-Scottish boundary) is one of the most constrained areas in the grid, often requiring renewable generation to be turned down, leading to high constraint costs. Similarly, in the Netherlands, several provinces are facing severe grid bottlenecks, limiting the deployment of new solar and wind projects.
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are inherently variable. Solar panels generate electricity only during daylight, while wind turbines rely on favourable weather, making power output unpredictable.
This variability presents two key challenges:
Misaligned energy generation v demand
Rural businesses and industries often need power at specific times, yet renewable generation peaks may not align with this demand. For instance, solar generation peaks at midday, but peak demand might occur in the early morning or evening. Without storage, the excess energy produced during off-peak times goes underutilised, lowering the efficiency of renewable systems.
Limited self-consumption
When rural industries produce excess renewable energy during low-demand periods, much of it is fed back to the grid, often at less favourable rates. This setup limits the value they gain from their renewable investments. Without a battery storage solution, businesses miss out on using this power when they need it most, such as during peak hours, reducing their potential for energy independence and cost savings.
How energy storage enables rural electrification
Energy storage solutions offer a robust answer to the energy challenges faced by rural businesses across the UK and Europe. With the capacity to store surplus renewable energy and strategically release it during high-demand periods, BESS technology enables rural areas to maximise self-generated power, reduce grid dependency, and enhance energy resilience. By fostering energy self-sufficiency and mitigating grid constraints, BESS is transforming the future of rural electrification.
Stores excess renewable energy for peak demand
In rural areas, where renewable sources like solar and wind might generate more energy than needed at certain times, BESS captures this surplus. Stored energy can then be released during peak demand, ensuring that rural businesses and industries have a reliable power source, even during high-usage hours.
Provides backup power during grid outages
Rural communities often face grid outages due to infrastructure challenges. BESS provides essential backup power during these times, allowing critical operations to continue smoothly. This capability is invaluable for sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and food processing, where power reliability is critical.
Stabilises fluctuating supply from renewable sources
The variability of renewables can create inconsistencies in power supply, leading to voltage fluctuations that strain local grids. BESS acts as a buffer, smoothing out supply fluctuations and enhancing overall grid stability, thereby preventing disruptions to both community and industrial activities.
Reduces dependency on the power grid network
By storing renewable energy onsite, rural businesses can significantly reduce their reliance on the main grid. This independence not only brings financial benefits by lowering energy costs but also improves energy security—crucial for businesses in remote areas that may experience more frequent service interruptions.
Energy storage use cases for rural operations
Agriculture and farming
Farms can leverage BESS to store energy from renewable sources, ensuring a stable supply for critical operations like irrigation, refrigeration, and machinery. By using stored energy during peak demand, farms can maintain efficiency and reduce costs.
Manufacturing and distribution
Rural manufacturing facilities face significant energy demands, which BESS can help manage by storing power during low-cost, off-peak hours. This stored energy ensures continuous operations, even during outages, and helps optimise energy expenditures.
Case study
A notable example in the UK is the pharmaceutical distributor Mawdsleys, which installed BESS alongside rooftop solar panels. This combination not only generated all the energy required for their operations but also produced an additional 25% surplus, which they can sell back to the grid, creating an additional revenue stream while supporting the national energy supply.
Data centres
With more data centres now located in rural areas, BESS is essential for providing backup power and managing the high, consistent energy requirements of these facilities. This setup is particularly valuable in areas with limited grid reliability.
Benefits beyond energy independence
Energy storage adoption within rural communities is an impactful way to align local energy management with Europe’s larger environmental and economic goals, advancing both energy security and the transition to a cleaner, greener future. There are two additional benefits that contribute to this adoption.
Financial savings
BESS allows rural businesses to store energy when rates are low and use it during peak demand, significantly reducing energy costs through load shifting and lower demand charges. These savings can make a meaningful impact on operational budgets, especially for energy-intensive industries.
Contribution to net zero goals
As rural areas increasingly embrace BESS, they directly support national goals for energy resilience and decarbonisation. With renewables now comprising 56% of Europe’s energy share (up from 45% just five years ago) BESS is essential for managing the increased renewable capacity. By integrating BESS, rural areas help stabilise the grid and enhance Europe’s overall energy sustainability.
In Summary
Rural electrification is becoming more and more common across regions in Europe, enabling industries to shift from traditional – frustrating – grid dependence toward renewable-driven energy independence. By harnessing and storing renewable power, rural businesses can mitigate grid instability, reduce costs, and boost resilience, particularly in areas facing grid constraints.
Powered by energy storage, rural communities are better equipped to meet their energy needs sustainably, contributing to Europe’s energy resilience and net-zero ambitions. As these systems become more accessible, with funding options available, the future of rural electrification looks increasingly more achievable for many businesses.
Make rural electrification easy with Wattstor
We provide a highly supportive solution to the challenges of rural electrification with our fully funded energy systems. By removing the need for upfront capital expenditure, we allow businesses to embrace the benefits of fleet electrification without the financial strain.
Our experienced energy storage specialists support a seamless transition by advising throughout the process on infrastructure and financial solutions. This holistic approach enables companies to maximise their use of renewable energy, navigate grid connection constraints, and achieve long-term cost savings.
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