Download Free (.pdf)Frequency Regulation
A fast-response grid service where batteries charge or discharge to help maintain grid frequency within required limits.
Fixed Demand Charge Management
A peak-shaving strategy that uses a single user-defined threshold to determine when discharging should begin. The system discharges above the threshold and remains inactive below it. This strategy provides predictable and straightforward peak shaving behavior.
Energy Management System
A control system that determines when and how an energy storage system charges, discharges, or remains idle using inputs such as load, solar production, and utility pricing. The EMS operates above the battery management system (BMS) and power conversion system (PCS) to optimize operation and balance performance, economic value, and battery longevity. Energy Toolbase’s EMS, ETB Controller, makes site-level economic and operational decisions to optimize dispatch at a given site.
Energy Arbitrage
An energy management strategy that shifts energy consumption by charging during lower-priced periods and discharging during higher-priced periods to capture value from price variability. Energy Arbitrage can be applied across any pricing structure where energy costs fluctuate, including time-of-use (TOU) rates and real-time or dynamic pricing, while avoiding the creation of new site demand peaks.
Dynamic Economic Dispatch
A dispatch approach used by Acumen AI within ETB Controller that optimizes battery operation in real time by evaluating site load, PV forecasts, pricing data, and program requirements to determine the most cost-effective dispatch each interval. Unlike fixed or schedule-based strategies, Dynamic Economic Dispatch adapts dispatch decisions in response to changing conditions. It reflects the AI-driven decision-making layer within the controller rather than a standalone control strategy.
Dispatch Signal
An external instruction from a utility, market operator, or VPP operator directing assets to charge, discharge, or hold.
Depth of Discharge
The percentage of a battery’s capacity that has been used relative to its full capacity. Higher depths of discharge generally shorten battery life. Managing discharge depth helps preserve long-term performance.
Demand Response
Programs that incentivize customers to reduce or shift load in response to grid conditions or price signals.
Demand Charge Management
A peak-shaving strategy that monitors a site’s metered demand against a defined threshold and discharges the battery whenever demand rises above that limit. When site-net-PV demand falls below the charging threshold and the battery has available capacity, the system recharges to ensure sufficient energy is stored for future peak events. This strategy focuses solely on managing a single […]
Cycle Life
The number of full charge and discharge cycles a battery can complete before its usable capacity falls below a specified threshold. Temperature, discharge depth, and cycling behavior all influence cycle life. Manufacturers typically rate cycle life under controlled testing conditions.
Co-Optimization
The practice of stacking multiple revenue streams, such as demand reduction and grid services, to maximize total economic value.
Behind-the-Meter
Energy assets installed on the customer side of the utility meter that primarily deliver value through bill savings, resiliency, or load management rather than wholesale market participation.