Battery Energy Storage System

On-site electrochemical energy storage that allows a property to store electricity and discharge it on demand. In a microgrid, storage may support backup operation, energy buffering, and reduced generator runtime. Transfer behavior depends on the selected equipment, system design, and operating conditions. Storage is sized in kWh for energy capacity and kW for power output; both metrics affect supported loads and duration.

A power electronics device that converts DC (direct current) electricity — from solar panels or batteries — to AC (alternating current) electricity that home circuits use. In a microgrid, inverters are bidirectional: they can also convert AC grid power to DC to charge batteries (operating as a rectifier). Inverter capacity sets the maximum AC output a battery system can deliver. A 10 kW inverter can sustain 10 kW of continuous AC output regardless of how large the battery bank is. Inverter selection is a critical engineering decision — residential microgrids typically use multi-mode inverters capable of grid-tied and off-grid operation simultaneously.

A locally controlled energy system that integrates distributed generation, energy storage, and loads — and can operate both connected to the main utility grid and independently (islanded). A residential microgrid is the application of this architecture to a private property. The defining characteristic of a microgrid is intelligent, coordinated control: components don't just coexist, they are actively managed as a unified system. This is what distinguishes a true microgrid from a generator + battery installed at the same address.