Fall 2025

The FA25 Energy Storage team continued the project from the previous semester to refine the details and achieve a better understanding of how BESS could benefit Cornell. The team added to the previous model by comparing three different sized BESS along with a generator. 

The team implemented better estimated values to get real estimates of the expenditures and savings of the BESS. The same general load shifting assumptions were applied to each of the three sizes of BESS to directly compare which one would be the best option financially. 

The team created a sensitivity analysis with three different scenarios for each battery to find the most financially feasible solution. This model also included end of life options, such as selling the BESS based on the efficiency after 20 years. 

For the environmental calculations, the three BESS models were compared to three sizes of natural gas generators. This showed a direct comparison of the carbon savings vs carbon emissions. The assumptions were that the BESS would charge during the five cleanest grid hours and discharge during the five dirtiest grid hours. 

The conclusions drawn were that the financials alone would not support the implementation of a BESS. The team concluded that putting a price on the amount of carbon saved would create feasibility, but how much is carbon worth?