Commercial Battery Energy Storage Systems
Secure, independent battery energy storage systems that pay for themselves.
A commercial or industrial battery energy storage system (BESS) stores energy from the grid or solar panels for later use. BESS’ pair one or more high-capacity batteries with inverters and other energy systems to safely and efficiently control the storage and release of energy.
Cromwell Electrical has been designing and installing professional Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for homes and businesses since 1982. Our four-plus decades of experience give us a depth of knowledge that only comes from working with battery technologies through every stage of the industry's evolution.
Just as importantly, our deep-rooted foundations mean our customers can count on us to be here for the long term. Battery energy storage systems are designed to provide decades of service, and Cromwell Electrical is committed to supporting our clients throughout the life of their investment.
We can speak from experience when it comes to BESS installation: Our office and warehouse in Lawrence, KS are backed up by a commercial BESS that has successfully powered our facilities through numerous utility outages. That same system has helped reduce peak demand charges and lower our operating costs, giving us firsthand experience with the performance, reliability, and financial benefits we deliver to our customers every day.
From residential backup power to large-scale commercial energy storage, Cromwell Electrical designs and installs proven BESS solutions that improve resilience, reduce energy costs, and provide energy independence when it matters most.
Multiple Sol-Ark batteries installed by Cromwell Solar.
Cromwell Solar: Backed Up By Battery Systems
Due to aging infrastructure coupled with the strains of more extreme weather conditions, power outages are occurring more than twice as often as they used to. A great example of using a battery system for continuous power can be found at our own Cromwell Solar headquarters in Lawrence, Kansas. Our office and warehouse use three Tesla Powerwalls to provide a steady backup in case of outages. When our power goes out, the lights barely flicker and our computers stay on — saving what we’re working on — while the bank next door has to shut down until the power is restored.
The installation of Tesla Powerwalls in 2019 at the Cromwell Solar headquarters was one of the first commercial Powerwall installations in the world. Long known for innovation, Cromwell Solar also had the distinction of installing the very first Tesla Powerwall residential system outside of California in 2018. Today, we install a large range of battery brands and types, including FranklinWH, Generac PWRcell, Panasonic Evervolt, Sol-Ark, and Enphase, with solutions for businesses ranging from small offices to large factories and even utilities.
Benefits of Commercial and Industrial BESS
A power outage affects both immediate cash flow (lost sales, spoilage) and long-term profitability (reputation, contracts, delays). Even short outages can cascade into significant financial losses. Having an energy fallback such as a BESS helps prevent:
Lost Sales: Phones and email not working, no POS systems — customers may go elsewhere and your reputation may take a hit
Idle Labor: Employees are being paid but cannot work, and in some cases employees simply leave as outages drag on.
Inventory & Data Loss: Perishable goods spoil, manufacturing materials wasted mid-process, and unsaved work may be lost
Equipment Damage: sudden shutdowns can damage computers and industrial machinery
Restart Costs: restarting systems and recalibrating computers and equipment takes time and money
A Battery Energy Storage System prevents these losses, automatically detecting the grid outage and responding so quickly many customers don’t even realize they’ve switched to battery power. In large manufacturing environments, a BESS can cover the crucial time neeEnergy Savings With BESS
In addition to protecting people and systems during blackouts, a battery energy storage system can provide significant energy savings. This includes through energy arbitrage or time-of-use (TOU) optimization (charging when rates are low and discharging when they are high), demand response participation (utility credits for discharging energy when they need power the most), solar savings (saving power made during the day for when it is needed at night getting better value). The primary electric bill savings, however, are from “peak demand” reduction.
Businesses typically pay for their power in two categories: the total monthly consumption of electricity in Kilowatt hours (kWh), and the “peak demand,” or just “demand charge,” which is the highest power usage that occurred over a 15-minute period for the month. The demand part of the electric bill often amounts to 30-70% of the bill. We can program a battery system to limit spikes of consumption from the grid, discharging during those times and then recharging themselves in the middle of the night (or whenever demand is at its lowest for your business.)
Optimizing Your Power Factor
A properly engineered and installed BESS helps optimize a facility's power factor, reducing or eliminating utility penalties associated with poor power quality. Beyond lowering utility costs, improved power factor reduces stress on electrical equipment, enhancing system efficiency and extending the lifespan of critical assets. The result is a more resilient facility with lower operating costs and improved long-term performance.
Three Tesla Powerwall backup batteries installed at Cromwell Solar headquarters in Lawrence, Kansas.
Cost of a Battery Backup for Businesses
The cost of installing a battery energy storage system for your business depends on the size of the battery storage needed, the type of power feeding your facility, how extensive wiring/rewiring will be, and many other factors.
You may be eligible for tax credits for installing a BESS. Cromwell is very familiar with the process of applying for and receiving these tax credits, and we can help you get incentives you deserve.
Call Cromwell today for a free initial assessment of your energy needs and potential solutions: 785-371-1429
Your Commercial Battery Backup Specialists
Installing a battery system integrated with solar panels or generators is something that is beyond the technical scope of most solar installers or electricians. But large-scale commercial projects are something Cromwell excels at. Our teams are staffed with licensed electricians with years of experience designing and installing the full range of backup battery systems.
Having the experts at Cromwell install your battery backup system prepares your facility for the future. We are one of very few firms capable of integrating battery systems with generators and solar energy. Even if you are not ready for solar or generators to create your own microgrid today, we will make sure that your battery energy storage system (BESS) is ready for this in the future. Cromwell Solar is happy to add battery backup functionality to any existing solar project (sometimes requiring some modifications), whether we initially installed it or not.