Screw piles (AKA helical piles) are swiftly becoming a mainstay of the renewable energy industry. Strong, durable, and flexible, they are capable of being deployed in a wide range of ground conditions. Providing a stable foundation for various types of structures, including solar panel installations, wind turbines, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). So, with the renewable energy sector booming, what are the benefits that screw piles can bring to BESS projects?
How Screw Piles Support Battery Energy Storage Projects
Strong foundations
Due to their considerable weight, BESS requires solid foundations. With commercial systems including batteries, inverters, transformers, and racking, the units can weigh several tons, putting substantial stress on the ground beneath them. Screw piles provide a strong foundation to ensure their long-term performance and stability.
Reduced construction time
One of the key benefits of screw pile foundations for any project is the speed of installation. Because they can be installed directly into the ground, without excavation, they offer one of the fastest foundation installation times. This saves time, reduces costs, expedites project completion.
Environmental impact
The simple no-excavation installation of screw piles means that they produce very little direct environmental impact. They don’t destroy root systems, and there is very little surface disruption. They can even be installed with minimal equipment—one vehicle, one driver, and one person to guide the piles can complete a fairly large project in a day or two. All of which means a significantly smaller environmental footprint.
Cost efficiency
Because installation is fast and excavation-free, screw piles can be a more cost-effective foundation type for BESS projects. They also reduce wait time, as they are ready to use immediately, which can reduce project overheads.
Site flexibility
Screw piles can be installed in a wide variety of soil conditions. This includes heavy clay, sand, chalk, uneven terrain, and areas with a high water table. For BESS installation, this opens up flexibility, enabling installation in traditionally challenging sites.
Load bearing
Renewable energy installations often take place in remote and exposed locations. This can mean that BESS projects are subject to extreme weather, producing strong vertical and lateral loads. With helical plates providing anchorage, and the piles screwed deep into the ground, screw piles can deliver strong load-bearing capabilities and stability, even in extreme conditions.
Sustainability
As well as having a low environmental impact during installation, screw piles carry other green credentials. They can be moved and reused when a project needs adjusting. When no longer needed, they can be fully recycled. And the production process produces fewer emissions than many other foundation types, such as concrete.
Battery Energy Storage Projects play an integral part in the global move towards renewable energy. But in order to play that part, they have to be firmly grounded. Screw piles provide the simplest, fastest, most secure, and most cost-effective solution. They are versatile and durable, and can provide a solution to the most challenging ground conditions. That’s why so many BESS projects use screw piles to ground them.
Do you need support finding the right screw piles for your BESS installation? Find out howUK Helix can help.