Mohammed Shosanya
Due to epileptic power supply and frequent national grid collapses plaguing Nigeria, the novel Battery as a Service (BasS) has been recommended to boost the country’s electricity supply storage and management.
Energy Policy Analyst, Dr. Emmanuel Onyeuche,made the recommendation in an industry report he authored for renowned public policy think-tank, Nextier.
He explained that while the traditional model of energy storage involves large-scale, fixed infrastructure, BaaS offers energy storage solutions as a service, which means that instead of purchasing and maintaining batteries outright, users can access the benefits of energy storage through a service agreement.
“In simple terms, BaaS provides battery storage solutions to customers on a subscription or pay-per-use basis, eliminating the need for upfront capital investment. Service providers install, maintain, and operate the battery systems, while customers benefit from reliable energy storage without the burden of ownership”, he stated.
To enhance the viability of the innovation, BaaS agreements often include performance guarantees and SLAs that define the expected service levels, uptime, efficiency, and response times, providing customers with assurance of reliable and consistent service delivery.
It also offers customers flexibility in scaling up or down the battery capacity based on evolving energy needs, market conditions, and technological advancements, enabling agile and cost-effective solutions, Dr. Onyeuche stressed.
According to him, Battery as a Service represents a disruptive force in the power industry, reshaping stakeholders conceive and manage energy storage.
“From bolstering grid resilience to facilitating renewable energy integration and challenging traditional utility models, the impact of BaaS is profound and far-reaching.
“As the energy landscape continues to evolve, embracing innovation in energy storage would be pivotal in building a sustainable and resilient power infrastructure for the future. Overcoming the challenges of implementing BaaS in Nigeria’s power system dynamics requires a coordinated effort from policymakers, regulators, utilities, investors, and technology providers.
“Nigeria can unlock the transformative potential of BaaS to enhance grid reliability, integrate renewable energy, and accelerate its transition to a sustainable energy future. As Battery as a Service continues to gain traction, its impact on power industry dynamics will evolve”, he stated.
He noted though, that implementation of BaaS in the Nigerian context is not without challenges, but balancing the benefits with the challenges would be integral to its successful integration into the power industry.
