NOM-001-SEDE-2012?

In Mexico, when the "NOM-001" is mentioned in the electrical sector, it usually refers to NOM-001-SEDE-2012, Electrical Installations (utilization)

BESS Systems

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are transforming the electricity sector by optimizing energy management and providing industrial backup power. Discover the fundamental components, sizing in MW and MWh, key technologies such as LFP, their economic benefits through integrated services, and the current regulatory landscape in Mexico and Texas.

Protecting the industry

Technical strategies and critical considerations for the protection of operational technology (OT) environments and industrial control systems (SCADA), based on technical information

What battery technologies are used in BESS?

Battery Technologies Used in BESSs Globally, the battery energy storage system (BESS) market is overwhelmingly dominated by electrochemical technologies, although different chemistries coexist depending on the application (grid support, energy arbitrage, frequency regulation, or industrial backup). The most commonly used battery technologies today are classified as follows: 1. Lithium-Ion Batteries This is the undisputed leading technology, capturing over 901,000 T/T of the global market for modern BESSs due to its high energy density, high efficiency (generally >901,000 T/T), and rapid cost reduction in recent years. Within the lithium-ion category, two sub-chemistries dominate: LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate – $LiFePO4$): This has become the industry standard for stationary BESSs. Although it has a lower energy density than other lithium chemistries, it stands out for its excellent thermal stability (fire safety), lower cost (as it does not use cobalt or nickel), and extended lifespan (more than 4,000 to 6,000 cycles). NMC (Nickel, Manganese, and Cobalt – $LiNiMnCoO_2$): Very common in electric vehicles and used in the first BESS megaprojects (such as Tesla's Hornsdale Power Reserve in Australia). It offers superior energy density, but its use in stationary storage has declined compared to LFP due to concerns about the cost of raw materials and the risk of thermal runaway. 2. Flow Batteries: Unlike conventional batteries, they store energy in liquid electrolytes contained in external tanks. They are the fastest-growing option for long-life discharge (LDES) applications (discharges of 6 to more than 12 hours). Vanadium Flow (VRFB): This is the most mature in this category. Their main advantage is that they do not degrade with charge/discharge cycles (they can last more than 20 years without losing capacity), and storage capacity can be scaled simply by increasing the size of the electrolyte tanks. They have lower efficiency (~70-80%) and a higher initial cost, but an excellent long-term levelized cost of energy (LCOE). Other flow technologies: Iron-Chromium or Zinc-Bromine-based variants are gaining ground as alternatives with lower geopolitical and environmental costs. 3. Sodium-based Batteries: Sodium is emerging as the major competitor to lithium in the immediate future due to the abundance and low cost of the raw material. Sodium-Ion (Na-Ion): Currently undergoing mass industrial scaling. Its performance and density properties are very similar to those of first-generation LFP batteries, but with a superior safety profile in extreme temperatures and a potentially lower production cost. Sodium-Sulfur (NaS) / Sodium-Nickel Chloride (NaNiCl – “Zebra Batteries”): These are high-temperature technologies (operating above 250°C). NaS batteries, popularized commercially by NGK in Japan, have been used in large-scale grid applications for decades due to their high energy density and zero self-discharge, although their thermal management requires complex systems. 4. Advanced Lead-Acid and Nickel Batteries: Although these are mature technologies, their presence in new large-scale BESS projects is marginal. Advanced Lead-Acid (VRLA / Carbon-Lead): These remain relevant in rural microgrids, behind-the-meter (BTM) applications, and critical backup systems due to their very low initial cost and high recyclability. However, their short lifespan under deep cycles and low energy density exclude them from large-scale grid projects. Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) and Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH): Virtually obsolete for modern BESS, limited to industrial environments with extreme climatic conditions (such as substations in arctic or desert areas) due to their high thermal robustness.  

What are BESS?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are technological systems that capture electrical energy from the grid or from generation sources (such as solar or wind) and store it in electrochemical batteries (mainly lithium-ion) to release it later when the system needs it most.

New materials for solar cells

Researchers at the Institute of Solar Energy of the Polytechnic University of Madrid manufacture micro-prototypes of ultra-thin solar cells with various materials that promote the absorption of solar energy on any surface.