Glossary · BESS / УЗЕ
What is a BESS — battery energy storage system
A BESS is an industrial battery system: it stores electricity when prices are low and releases it when prices peak or the grid goes down. In Ukrainian documents the same equipment is called УЗЕ (установка зберігання енергії) or СНЕ.
In plain words
Think of a large power bank for a factory or warehouse. At night, when market electricity is cheapest, it charges. In the morning and evening peaks it powers your equipment — the price difference stays with you.
When the grid fails, the BESS picks up the load within milliseconds: machines, checkouts, servers and refrigerators never notice. Backup without fuel, noise or fumes.
Modern systems use LFP cells — the safest lithium chemistry, rated up to 8,000 cycles. An EMS runs the system; at SES it is enhanced by our own AI dispatch platform that reads day-ahead market prices daily and decides when to charge and discharge.
Where a BESS earns money
DAM price arbitrage
Charge in the night valley, discharge in the evening peak. The day-ahead market spread is direct revenue — up to 38% off your electricity bill.
Peak shaving
Cut your own demand peaks: lower contracted capacity, lower excess charges, a flatter profile for the grid operator.
Backup power
Uninterrupted operation without a generator: switchover within 20 ms, no fuel, no engine maintenance. Critical lines keep running.
Typical payback for C&I projects in Ukraine starts at 3 years. Send us your hourly consumption profile for an exact feasibility study.
BESS
- Switchover within 20 ms — equipment keeps running
- Earns daily on tariff spreads instead of waiting for outages
- No fuel, fumes or noise — can be installed next to an office
- Minimal maintenance: remote 24/7 monitoring
- Scales in modules — from 30 kWh to megawatt-hours
BESS FAQ
What does BESS stand for?
Battery Energy Storage System — an industrial battery with an inverter and controls. In Ukraine the same equipment is called УЗЕ (установка зберігання енергії) or СНЕ.
How long does a BESS last?
LFP cells are rated up to 8,000 cycles: at one full cycle per day that is 15–20 years. AlphaESS warranty — 10 years on the battery, 5 years on the system.
Do I need permits to install a BESS?
Grid-parallel operation requires technical conditions and a contract with the distribution operator. SES handles this in-house — grid connection is one of our core services.
BESS or a diesel generator?
For short frequent outages and daily savings — a BESS: instant switchover plus tariff arbitrage. For multi-day blackouts a generator can complement the battery, but does not replace its speed and economics.
How much does a BESS cost?
The budget depends on capacity, power and configuration (STS, grid connection, installation). Send your hourly consumption profile — SES returns a feasibility study with budget and payback within 2 business days.
Size it for your profile?
Send your hourly consumption profile — we will return a feasibility study with real DAM prices.
Request a proposal→