Articles

How Do Home Battery Systems Work?

The Torus app allows you to make informed decisions about when to charge or discharge your home battery bank.
workers install solar panels for home battery bank

In recent years, there's been a significant surge in the adoption of home battery systems. You might just think it's a passing trend, but in reality, these home battery banks are a response to a growing awareness of sustainability and a desire for energy independence.

The buzz around home battery systems signals a bright new era for energy, and we're all invited to be a part of it.

Key Points

  • Home battery systems store excess renewable energy from solar panels and turbines or cheap electricity from the grid, giving you a supply of inexpensive, reliable power at all times.
  • During periods of low demand, the battery stores energy from the grid or renewables as DC power for future use. Then, during a power outage or period of high demand, the inverter converts it into AC power for your home to use.
  • A home battery system offers you energy independence, financial savings, emergency backup power, and a smaller carbon footprint.

Understanding the Basics

For those interested in the science behind it all, here's a quick explainer on how home battery systems work.

First, the battery collects excess renewable energy or inexpensive electricity from the grid. This energy is stored in the battery—usually as chemical energy—and is converted back into electrical energy when needed.

When the sun is shining, the wind is blowing, or power from the grid is cheap, the home battery bank stores electricity as direct current power (DC) within the battery itself, preserving it for future use.

Then, during a power outage or a day when you're not producing enough energy, the inverter converts this stored DC power into alternating current (AC) power that can be used to run your home appliances.

The 3 Components of Home Battery Systems

There are typically 3 main components in a home battery system. Let's explore how they work together to provide you with a reliable and sustainable energy:

  • Battery
    The battery is the most important part of a home battery bank. It stores all the energy harvested from renewable sources and releases it when needed. The type of battery used can vary, but popular options include the following:
  • Inverters and Converters
    Inverters are crucial in a home battery system. They convert the DC power stored in the battery into AC power, which is commonly used in homes to run various appliances and systems. Without an inverter, the stored energy couldn't be utilized effectively.
    Converters, on the other hand, transform the alternating current (AC) from the grid into direct current (DC) to charge the batteries. Inverters and converters work in unison to keep the battery charged and ready for use.
  • Monitoring Systems
    Monitoring systems are the brains of a home battery system. They keep track of how much energy is being stored and used, allowing you to easily monitor your energy usage.
    The TorusTORUS app represents the next level of smart monitoring technology. It enables real-time tracking and analysis of your home battery system's performance right from your smartphone. This way, you can make informed decisions about when to charge or discharge your home battery bank.

Charging and Discharging

Now that we understand the components of a home battery system, let's look at how they work together to charge and discharge energy.

The Charging Process
The energy required to charge the battery bank can be harnessed from various sources. The choice of the energy source often depends on availability, cost, and personal preference:

  1. Solar: Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into energy, which is then stored in the battery bank.
  2. Wind: If you live in a windy area, wind turbines can be a great option for charging your home battery system. They work similarly to solar panels by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy.
  3. Grid Charging: In some cases, you may need to rely on grid power to charge your home battery bank, especially during periods of low renewable energy generation.

Plus, during periods of low demand, your home battery system will store any excess energy as electrical energy for future use.

Discharging Process
When you need to use the energy stored in your home battery system during a power outage or period of high demand, the process works in reverse. The battery releases the energy, which is then converted into AC power by the inverter and sent to your home to power your appliances.

The Benefits of Home Battery Systems

Besides just being a cool way to harness renewable energy, home battery systems offer many other benefits:

  • Energy Independence: With your own home battery bank, you don't have to rely solely on the grid for power.
  • Financial Savings: By using stored energy during high-demand periods, you can save money on electricity bills and potentially even earn credits for selling excess energy back to the grid.
  • Emergency Backup Power: During a power outage, your home battery system can provide backup power, so you don't have to worry about being left in the dark.
  • Reduced Carbon Footprint: By using renewable energy sources, you can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Home battery systems are an innovative and sustainable solution for energy management. By understanding how to utilize them, we can all work towards a greener, more independent energy future.

Torus Gives You The Best of Home Battery Systems

The Torus smart home battery system is designed to give you the best experience possible. With its advanced technology and user-friendly app, you can easily monitor, control, and optimize your energy usage.

Join the movement towards a brighter, more sustainable future with Torus by ordering now. For any additional questions, schedule a free consultation with us.