Keeping Retail Operations Running during Grid Events — in Ukraine
Project Overview
BESS for Supermarket Backup Power in Ukraine demonstrates how a 100kW/261kWh cabinet battery energy storage system can provide reliable backup for a retail supermarket in a harsh grid environment. For supermarkets, power continuity directly protects food safety, refrigeration, lighting, and payment/IT systems. The BESS delivers instant ride-through during outages and voltage events, while an EMS maintains reserve SOC and coordinates event response and recovery. This approach reduces the operational risk and improves customer experience compared with generator-only backup.
Project Background
Supermarkets are highly sensitive to power interruptions. Refrigeration and freezer systems must operate continuously to prevent product spoilage, and modern retail operations rely on IT equipment, payment terminals, and security systems. In Ukraine, grid conditions can be volatile, and short interruptions or voltage disturbances may occur without warning. While diesel generators can support long-duration outages, they may not prevent brief power dropouts during start-up or transfer. A BESS complements traditional backup by responding instantly, bridging the gap and maintaining stable supply to critical loads.
Project Challenge
- Instant Backup Requirement: Provide immediate power support during outages and voltage dips to avoid refrigeration interruptions and IT reset.
- Reserve SOC Guarantee: Maintain sufficient SOC to supply critical loads for the required backup duration while preserving battery health.
- Controlled Recovery: Restore SOC after events without creating new demand peaks or stressing site electrical equipment.
FFD POWER Solution
FFD POWER deployed a 100kW/261kWh cabinet BESS configured for critical-load backup in a supermarket environment. The EMS continuously monitors grid status and BESS health, enforcing a reserve SOC band dedicated to emergencies. Upon detection of abnormal grid conditions, the PCS immediately transitions to discharge, stabilizing supply to priority loads. After grid recovery, the EMS initiates controlled, power-limited charging to rebuild reserve capacity and logs events for maintenance and reporting.
System Specifications
- BESS POWER : 100 KW
- BESS capacity : 261 KWH
- Product used : Galaxy 261L Battery Cabinet plus 100kW Hybrid Inverter
- Application : Supermarket backup power (critical loads)
- Architecture: EMS with reserve SOC + fast ride-through + controlled recharge & event logging
Operational Logic: Reserve SOC + Instant Ride-Through
The EMS logic is designed to ensure continuous power for critical retail loads:
- Reserve SOC Policy: maintains a minimum SOC threshold reserved for backup; restricts non-essential discharge below reserve.
- Grid Disturbance Response: detects outage/abnormal voltage and immediately commands discharge to hold stable supply to critical loads.
- Post-Event Recharge: performs controlled charging with a power limit to restore reserve SOC without creating new peaks, while logging alarms and events.
