Battery Energy Storage System Noise Reduction

Battery energy storage systems can create noise from inverters, transformers, and cooling equipment that run during charging, discharging, and temperature control. If that sound reaches nearby homes, businesses, or property lines, it can lead to complaints, permitting delays, or added requirements from local officials.

Sound Fighter® Systems builds absorptive sound barrier systems for BESS sites that need to reduce operational noise while keeping equipment accessible. Our barriers can be designed around the site layout, the location of the main noise sources, and the direction sound travels, helping project teams address noise before it becomes a larger problem.

Benefits of Battery Energy Storage Sites

Large-scale energy storage can help keep electrical grids balanced and improve the utilization of variable power sources, such as solar and wind. BESS systems provide advanced energy storage solutions for many purposes. Effective BESS noise reduction can be achieved with the inclusion of sound barriers and sound walls.

Incorporating a BESS helps stabilize the energy supply to the grid and improve system voltage during times of high demand. It helps reduce power loss in the transmission network and can store excess renewable energy that would normally be curtailed. BESS systems help maintain an affordable and reliable energy supply for residents and workers, especially in peak demand times.

Disadvantages of Battery Energy Storage Sites

The primary disadvantage of BESS is noise emissions and pollution. An acoustic report may outline potential noise emissions associated with the site and any impact on residential receptors. However, additional steps, such as installing sound barriers and sound walls, might be required to mitigate noise pollution if noise levels exceed local noise mandates.

Potential Noise Issues With Battery Energy Storage Sites 

BESS help resolve the issues regarding energy demand, but they can create new noise concerns for residents. The tonal buzzing and humming that result from the high voltage electrical equipment onsite can be offensive to listeners living and working nearby.

Typically, noise-permitting work is conducted after contracts are awarded. However, sometimes noise issues don’t appear overnight, and can arise later. Addressing such issues at that point often becomes more costly. 

The primary noise sources that arise from a BESS are:

• Inverters
• Primary transformers
• LV to MV transformers
• The cooling system for the battery container/cubs

Preventing Battery Energy Storage System Noise Pollution With Sound Walls 

BESS produce noise emissions while charging and discharging. Besides conducting acoustic assessments, what can be done to bring operational noise levels to comply with local regulations? 

Here are a few solutions for battery energy storage site noise reduction. 

1. Inverter units may be outfitted with manufacturer noise-reducing kits, but this often isn’t enough to significantly reduce noise emissions at property lines. 
2. Battery storage container air conditioning units must be configured to maximize noise shielding in the direction of residential receptors.

Sound Fighter® Systems can help reduce overall site noise levels through the installation of engineered sound barriers around air conditioning units using sound-absorbing materials. Additionally, independent sound walls can be constructed around site boundaries to mitigate noise pollution.  A sound wall’s performance should be matched to the noise source, and inefficient sound walls can reflect noise in unwanted ways that actually lead to further noise pollution.

Sound Fighter® Systems’ SonaGuard® Barrier System is equipped with an absorptive design that reduces sound waves upon contact. SonaGuard® Barriers can be modified for customization to include man-doors for personnel and swing-gates for vehicles. Barrier colors can also be customized for site aesthetics.

To learn more about how Sound Fighter® Systems’ solutions can help mitigate noise pollution, please contact us at 1-866-348-0833 or use our contact form to request a quote.

FAQ's

What equipment causes the most noise at a battery energy storage site?

Most noise from battery energy storage systems comes from inverters, transformers, and cooling equipment used to manage battery container temperatures. These sources can create steady humming, buzzing, or mechanical noise that may carry to nearby homes, businesses, or property lines. Absorptive sound barriers help reduce that noise by controlling the sound path between the equipment and nearby receptors.