Resilience Recharged: Cummins Expert on Making Microgrids More Reliable with Battery Storage
With the increased integration of intermittent renewables in microgrids, battery energy storage systems (BESS) have become increasingly vital, according to Chetan Chandore, new energy solutions marketing leader for on-site power generation firm Cummins.
Chandore recently sat down with Rod Walton, managing editor of Microgrid Knowledge, to discuss the evolving battery energy storage landscape.
Batteries play four vital roles in microgrid and DER resilience
During the interview, Chandore explained the four key roles battery storage now plays in microgrids. A BESS:
- Stores excess renewable energy for later use.
- Provides instantaneous backup power during outages.
- Manages grid stability by balancing frequency and voltage in real-time.
- Reduces diesel fuel consumption, reducing overall system emissions.
“We are seeing 50% to 70% of new microgrids include battery energy storage, and that jumps to 70% to 90% for remote off-grid systems where storage is absolutely making the renewable [energy resource] viable,” Chandore reported. “In nutshell, BESS is an essential element of microgrids for the customers.”
Battery chemistry breakthroughs are changing the game
Walton and Chandore also explored the rapid evolution of battery chemistries as manufacturers look for safer, more durable and scalable systems.
“Many new technologies are gaining momentum,” Chandore said, specifically calling out sodium-ion, zinc, solid state and flow batteries as some of the most promising chemistries or technologies in active development.
He also noted that cell capacity innovations are reshaping the market, a trend Cummins is closely following. Cells now exceed 314 amp hours, with some approaching 1,000 amp hours, and that increase in energy density “reduces the cost without compromising safety for our customers,” he said.
Leveraging battery storage in microgrids for mission critical applications
“For commercial and industrial customers, battery storage isn't just about energy, it's about operational continuity, cost control and strategic resilience,” Chandore said.
He explained that while every microgrid is unique, designed to meet specific customer needs, site constraints and energy resources, most installations can reap more than just resilience and sustainability benefits from integrating a BESS.
“Battery energy storage plays an important role in a few core use cases, like energy arbitrage, renewable energy shifting, off grid, peak shaving, EV charging and demand response,” he said.
Cummins introduces new BESS solution
Chandore also outlined the features of Cummins’ new BESS, which the company is currently rolling out across international 50-Hertz markets. Cummins now offers fully containerized, plug and play solutions that range from 200 kWh to 2 MWh and are designed for mission critical, commercial and industrial applications.
He said the company has plans to launch a similar 60-Hertz product in North America in the near future.
Chandore also transparently addressed some of the major safety concerns around battery storage solutions and explained how Cummins’ is working to proactively address them through its robust, multi-layered safety architecture.
