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BGIS Grand Finals Day 2 Highlights: Soul Finish Strong, Genesis Dominate

BGIS Grand Finals Day 2 Highlights: Soul Finish Strong, Genesis Dominate

Day 2 of the BGIS Grand Finals was chaotic in the best way possible. A variety of teams got into the top three, but Soul was ultimately the one left without a challenge. Genesis also showcased some of the best assault gameplay. They ranked second without winning a single game. Here’s everything that happened on the second day of the BGIS Grand Finals 2026.

Match 7 & 8: OG Bounce Back, Genesis Go Ruthless

The day kicked off with instant action. Nebula was put under heavy pressure early and lost three players quickly to Team Tamilas. OG, on the other hand, came out firing with five finishes within the first circle itself. LEFP was the first team to be wiped out after getting caught in a crossfire while rotating into the zone. K9 followed soon after, continuing their rough tournament run.

Soul looked strong early with 7 kills, but were surprisingly eliminated early by VE, missing out on position points. WF and RNTX also fell quickly, while GodLike couldn’t get going and was eliminated with just a single point. That opened the door for OG, MYTH, and VS. MYTH were taken out first by OG, and from there, OG sealed the deal with a much-needed chicken dinner.

The second match started with MYTH getting caught off guard by Genesis, who carried forward their momentum from Day 1. RGE and NINZ were the first teams to go, followed by VE in a shocking early exit. NBE’s struggles continued, and GodLike once again had a middling outing.

But the story of this match was Genesis. They were relentless, picking up 15 kills and dominating the lobby. In the final moments, it came down to Genesis, LEFP, and WF. Genesis had the zone disadvantage and were taken out by LEFP, but WF—who had zero kills until then—stepped up and wiped LEFP to steal the chicken dinner.

Match 9 & 10: Chaos, Upsets, and Early Exits

The third match had chaos written all over it. MYTH was dismantled early by multiple teams and eventually finished by Genesis. OG, coming off a chicken dinner, had a shocking exit after losing a straightforward 4v1 against LEFP.

One of the biggest moments was GodLike taking down VS in a bold play that got the crowd going. The final zone was insane, with Soul, GodLike, and NIMZ playing some of the best BGMI we’ve seen so far. GodLike were taken out first thanks to NIMZ’s grenades, followed by Soul, who were down to a single player.

The fourth match began cautiously, with teams playing it safe for position points. MYTH got things rolling by picking off WF players, eventually eliminating them. Soul tried an aggressive push but lost two players in the process. Genesis’ early exit from a shack was one of the biggest surprises. Nebula, OG, and GodLike were also eliminated quickly, with Revenant Xspark playing a key role in third-party fights. Soul was eventually taken out in 7th place due to the playzone.

Match 11 & 12: Nebula Comeback, Soul Finish Strong

The fifth match started explosively, with LEFP losing three players to VE in a drop clash. TT and NINZ both found themselves in messy fights and were left with just one player each. WELT was the first full team to go after a fight involving K9 and a GodLike third party. WF, LEFP, and VS followed, while K9 made a major blunder and was eliminated without scoring. Genesis crossed the 100-point mark in this game, but the real story was Nebula. After a rough run, they finally showed what they were capable of—securing a chicken dinner with over 10 kills.

The final match of the day had everything. LEFP started strong by wiping WF without losing a player. K9 tried to bounce back by taking down VS, but couldn’t sustain momentum and was eliminated early. A chaotic mid-game fight between Nebula, RNTX, Genesis, and MYTH saw multiple teams getting wiped out. Genesis was regrouping when Soul third-partied and eliminated them. GodLike once again fell early, and Soul found themselves in a strong position heading into the final zones. The final fight took place in a church compound, with five teams battling for control. But the zone shifted away, forcing everyone into the open.

In the end, it came down to Soul, LEFP, and OG. LEFP were bombarded with grenades, OG were eliminated, and Soul closed it out to secure their first chicken dinner of the day. For the full standings, click here.

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#BGIS #Grand #Finals #Day #Highlights #Soul #Finish #Strong #Genesis #Dominate


If you were thinking of seeing Minions & Monstersor at least taking your kid to see it, here’s something to sweeten the pot: George Lucas is in it.

Illumination head Chris Meledandri broke the news in a recent Collider interview, where he revealed the Star Wars creator is secretly a fan of Despicable Me’s chatty champions. “It was such a thrill to learn and share that with the team,” said Meledandri, “He’s among a very small group of people who the entire studio shares a level of respect for that is just off the charts.” Given Lucas’ affection for funny little guys, it makes sense that he loves the biggest little guys of our current movie era.

Now that they knew they had Lucas in their corner, the team decided what the hey, get him to do a voice for the movie. Meledandri said an “idea for a character” was born that fit the bill, and they got “a fast yes” when it was pitched. At time of writing, Illumination’s quiet on who Lucas will be, but it’s worth noting that Minions & Monsters takes place in the 1920s as the crew try to make their own movie. Lucas’ love for older films is apparent in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, so maybe he’ll be a director that ends up getting trampled by the Minions. Maybe he’ll even be one himself who just looks like a little yellow George Lucas, that’d be fun.

Look for Minions & Monsters to hit theaters on July 1.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#George #Lucas #Minions #MonstersGeorge Lucas,Illumination,Minions,Minions and Monsters,Star Wars">George Lucas Will Be In ‘Minions & Monsters’
                If you were thinking of seeing Minions & Monsters, or at least taking your kid to see it, here’s something to sweeten the pot: George Lucas is in it. Illumination head Chris Meledandri broke the news in a recent Collider interview, where he revealed the Star Wars creator is secretly a fan of Despicable Me’s chatty champions. “It was such a thrill to learn and share that with the team,” said Meledandri, “He’s among a very small group of people who the entire studio shares a level of respect for that is just off the charts.” Given Lucas’ affection for funny little guys, it makes sense that he loves the biggest little guys of our current movie era. Now that they knew they had Lucas in their corner, the team decided what the hey, get him to do a voice for the movie. Meledandri said an “idea for a character” was born that fit the bill, and they got “a fast yes” when it was pitched. At time of writing, Illumination’s quiet on who Lucas will be, but it’s worth noting that Minions & Monsters takes place in the 1920s as the crew try to make their own movie. Lucas’ love for older films is apparent in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, so maybe he’ll be a director that ends up getting trampled by the Minions. Maybe he’ll even be one himself who just looks like a little yellow George Lucas, that’d be fun. Look for Minions & Monsters to hit theaters on July 1.  Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.      #George #Lucas #Minions #MonstersGeorge Lucas,Illumination,Minions,Minions and Monsters,Star Wars

Minions & Monstersor at least taking your kid to see it, here’s something to sweeten the pot: George Lucas is in it.

Illumination head Chris Meledandri broke the news in a recent Collider interview, where he revealed the Star Wars creator is secretly a fan of Despicable Me’s chatty champions. “It was such a thrill to learn and share that with the team,” said Meledandri, “He’s among a very small group of people who the entire studio shares a level of respect for that is just off the charts.” Given Lucas’ affection for funny little guys, it makes sense that he loves the biggest little guys of our current movie era.

Now that they knew they had Lucas in their corner, the team decided what the hey, get him to do a voice for the movie. Meledandri said an “idea for a character” was born that fit the bill, and they got “a fast yes” when it was pitched. At time of writing, Illumination’s quiet on who Lucas will be, but it’s worth noting that Minions & Monsters takes place in the 1920s as the crew try to make their own movie. Lucas’ love for older films is apparent in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, so maybe he’ll be a director that ends up getting trampled by the Minions. Maybe he’ll even be one himself who just looks like a little yellow George Lucas, that’d be fun.

Look for Minions & Monsters to hit theaters on July 1.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#George #Lucas #Minions #MonstersGeorge Lucas,Illumination,Minions,Minions and Monsters,Star Wars">George Lucas Will Be In ‘Minions & Monsters’George Lucas Will Be In ‘Minions & Monsters’
                If you were thinking of seeing Minions & Monsters, or at least taking your kid to see it, here’s something to sweeten the pot: George Lucas is in it. Illumination head Chris Meledandri broke the news in a recent Collider interview, where he revealed the Star Wars creator is secretly a fan of Despicable Me’s chatty champions. “It was such a thrill to learn and share that with the team,” said Meledandri, “He’s among a very small group of people who the entire studio shares a level of respect for that is just off the charts.” Given Lucas’ affection for funny little guys, it makes sense that he loves the biggest little guys of our current movie era. Now that they knew they had Lucas in their corner, the team decided what the hey, get him to do a voice for the movie. Meledandri said an “idea for a character” was born that fit the bill, and they got “a fast yes” when it was pitched. At time of writing, Illumination’s quiet on who Lucas will be, but it’s worth noting that Minions & Monsters takes place in the 1920s as the crew try to make their own movie. Lucas’ love for older films is apparent in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, so maybe he’ll be a director that ends up getting trampled by the Minions. Maybe he’ll even be one himself who just looks like a little yellow George Lucas, that’d be fun. Look for Minions & Monsters to hit theaters on July 1.  Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.      #George #Lucas #Minions #MonstersGeorge Lucas,Illumination,Minions,Minions and Monsters,Star Wars

If you were thinking of seeing Minions & Monstersor at least taking your kid to see it, here’s something to sweeten the pot: George Lucas is in it.

Illumination head Chris Meledandri broke the news in a recent Collider interview, where he revealed the Star Wars creator is secretly a fan of Despicable Me’s chatty champions. “It was such a thrill to learn and share that with the team,” said Meledandri, “He’s among a very small group of people who the entire studio shares a level of respect for that is just off the charts.” Given Lucas’ affection for funny little guys, it makes sense that he loves the biggest little guys of our current movie era.

Now that they knew they had Lucas in their corner, the team decided what the hey, get him to do a voice for the movie. Meledandri said an “idea for a character” was born that fit the bill, and they got “a fast yes” when it was pitched. At time of writing, Illumination’s quiet on who Lucas will be, but it’s worth noting that Minions & Monsters takes place in the 1920s as the crew try to make their own movie. Lucas’ love for older films is apparent in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, so maybe he’ll be a director that ends up getting trampled by the Minions. Maybe he’ll even be one himself who just looks like a little yellow George Lucas, that’d be fun.

Look for Minions & Monsters to hit theaters on July 1.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#George #Lucas #Minions #MonstersGeorge Lucas,Illumination,Minions,Minions and Monsters,Star Wars

With electricity costs soaring, home batteries have never looked so attractive. Whether you want to store the excess generated by your solar panels or simply buy electricity at the cheapest possible rate to use later when power is most expensive, a home battery can help. It’s never been easier to get a home battery installed, but this rapidly expanding market can be confusing, and there are several things to consider before you buy.

I’ve spent months researching home batteries, chatting to folks who use them, and then having one installed myself, and I have tips for anyone interested in getting a home battery of their own.

Why Would You Want a Home Battery?

There are several reasons you might want to invest in a home battery, and they are not mutually exclusive:

  • You want to store excess power from your solar panels.
  • You want to live off-grid.
  • You want to guard against power outages.
  • You want to buy electricity at a cheap rate and store it for use later.

Home batteries are a win-win, potentially benefiting power companies too, because battery storage is an essential part of grid balancing and can help manage and make the most of the intermittent power generated by renewables (solar, wind, waves).

How Do Home Batteries Work?

Image may contain Appliance Device Electrical Device and Refrigerator

Photograph: Simon Hill

A home battery is like a big power bank for your home. But rather than lithium-ion, they tend to be lithium iron phosphate (LFP or LiFePO4), because it is safer, more durable, and less prone to thermal runaway. In other words, less likely to overheat and burst into flames. There are a few manufacturers working with sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries, which are potentially cheaper, more environmentally friendly (they don’t require lithium), and perform better in the cold, but they are also larger and don’t last as long.

Home battery technology is often the same as you’ll find in electric vehicles. Some folks have even suggested employing EV batteries as home batteries. But there are potential issues with that, not least finding your car battery drained in the morning. EVs are also driving the technology forward toward solid-state batteries, which are smaller for the same capacity, safer as they don’t have liquid electrolytes inside, and longer lasting.

Many home batteries come in modular systems, so you can add the capacity you want, but they require an inverter to convert the DC (direct current) power stored to AC (alternating current) power you can use. Folks with solar panels, or those who plan to add them in the future, should opt for a hybrid inverter, which can also convert the power from the panels for use or storage.

Inverters have different power ratings in kilowatts (kW) that dictate how much power you can draw at any given moment. Households with modest needs may get by with a 3.6-kW inverter, but that limits your continuous draw to 3.6 kW. They usually have a peak load capability that goes higher, enabling you to pull more for a brief period. If you have high-demand appliances like an EV charger or heat pump, you will want at least 5 kW, and folks with larger demands or larger batteries will want to go higher (6 to 10 kW).

What Should I Look For?

There are several things to watch out for when buying a home battery:

  • Capacity: Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), this tells you how much total energy the battery can hold.
  • Power output: Measured in kilowatts (kW), this shows how much energy the battery and inverter can deliver at any moment.
  • Depth of discharge: This is how much of the battery’s capacity you can safely use without damaging it.
  • Efficiency: This is the percentage of the power you put into the battery that you can actually use, because some energy is always lost in the storage process.
  • Warranty: This is a guarantee about the minimum performance you can expect before a battery degrades (they all degrade over time), and it’s often stated in years and charging cycles (whichever comes first). For example, EcoFlow promises at least 70 percent capacity after 15 years or 6,000 charging cycles.

How Much Home Battery Do You Need?

Image may contain Electronics Mobile Phone Phone Computer Hardware and Hardware

EcoFlow via Simon Hill

It can be tricky to calculate how much battery capacity you need, and it depends on your use case. If you want to guard against outages or live off-grid, you must consider how much power you use over time and also the sum of your maximum power usage at any given moment to ensure your capacity in kWh and output in kW are enough. If the output is not high enough you may not be able to run power-hungry appliances at the same time, so you’ll have to think about how you use your power.

For folks like me, simply looking to buy at a cheaper rate to use when power is more expensive, any capacity will benefit you. But if you have a cheap six-hour rate overnight, for example, then you ideally want it to last for the other 18 hours. It makes sense to get as much as you can up-front because the installation costs are high. Even adding to modular systems later often requires professional installation to avoid voiding your warranty.

Do You Need Upgrades or Permission?

The home battery will connect to your main electrical panel via a cable, and it may require some upgrades. There was no room on my fuse board when I got a home battery installed, so they had to install a second breaker box.

Some inverters may require permission from your electric distribution utility or local distribution company. Here in Scotland, the distribution network operator must approve your inverter, but you can install and then notify up to 3.6 kW, whereas larger inverters require prior approval.

#Home #Batteries #Arent #Doomsday #Preppers #Heresshopping,energy,batteries,how-to,smart home,power">Home Batteries Aren’t Just for Doomsday Preppers. Here’s Why You Might Want OneWith electricity costs soaring, home batteries have never looked so attractive. Whether you want to store the excess generated by your solar panels or simply buy electricity at the cheapest possible rate to use later when power is most expensive, a home battery can help. It’s never been easier to get a home battery installed, but this rapidly expanding market can be confusing, and there are several things to consider before you buy.I’ve spent months researching home batteries, chatting to folks who use them, and then having one installed myself, and I have tips for anyone interested in getting a home battery of their own.Why Would You Want a Home Battery?There are several reasons you might want to invest in a home battery, and they are not mutually exclusive:You want to store excess power from your solar panels.You want to live off-grid.You want to guard against power outages.You want to buy electricity at a cheap rate and store it for use later.Home batteries are a win-win, potentially benefiting power companies too, because battery storage is an essential part of grid balancing and can help manage and make the most of the intermittent power generated by renewables (solar, wind, waves).How Do Home Batteries Work?Photograph: Simon HillA home battery is like a big power bank for your home. But rather than lithium-ion, they tend to be lithium iron phosphate (LFP or LiFePO4), because it is safer, more durable, and less prone to thermal runaway. In other words, less likely to overheat and burst into flames. There are a few manufacturers working with sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries, which are potentially cheaper, more environmentally friendly (they don’t require lithium), and perform better in the cold, but they are also larger and don’t last as long.Home battery technology is often the same as you’ll find in electric vehicles. Some folks have even suggested employing EV batteries as home batteries. But there are potential issues with that, not least finding your car battery drained in the morning. EVs are also driving the technology forward toward solid-state batteries, which are smaller for the same capacity, safer as they don’t have liquid electrolytes inside, and longer lasting.Many home batteries come in modular systems, so you can add the capacity you want, but they require an inverter to convert the DC (direct current) power stored to AC (alternating current) power you can use. Folks with solar panels, or those who plan to add them in the future, should opt for a hybrid inverter, which can also convert the power from the panels for use or storage.Inverters have different power ratings in kilowatts (kW) that dictate how much power you can draw at any given moment. Households with modest needs may get by with a 3.6-kW inverter, but that limits your continuous draw to 3.6 kW. They usually have a peak load capability that goes higher, enabling you to pull more for a brief period. If you have high-demand appliances like an EV charger or heat pump, you will want at least 5 kW, and folks with larger demands or larger batteries will want to go higher (6 to 10 kW).What Should I Look For?There are several things to watch out for when buying a home battery:Capacity: Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), this tells you how much total energy the battery can hold.Power output: Measured in kilowatts (kW), this shows how much energy the battery and inverter can deliver at any moment.Depth of discharge: This is how much of the battery’s capacity you can safely use without damaging it.Efficiency: This is the percentage of the power you put into the battery that you can actually use, because some energy is always lost in the storage process.Warranty: This is a guarantee about the minimum performance you can expect before a battery degrades (they all degrade over time), and it’s often stated in years and charging cycles (whichever comes first). For example, EcoFlow promises at least 70 percent capacity after 15 years or 6,000 charging cycles.How Much Home Battery Do You Need?EcoFlow via Simon HillIt can be tricky to calculate how much battery capacity you need, and it depends on your use case. If you want to guard against outages or live off-grid, you must consider how much power you use over time and also the sum of your maximum power usage at any given moment to ensure your capacity in kWh and output in kW are enough. If the output is not high enough you may not be able to run power-hungry appliances at the same time, so you’ll have to think about how you use your power.For folks like me, simply looking to buy at a cheaper rate to use when power is more expensive, any capacity will benefit you. But if you have a cheap six-hour rate overnight, for example, then you ideally want it to last for the other 18 hours. It makes sense to get as much as you can up-front because the installation costs are high. Even adding to modular systems later often requires professional installation to avoid voiding your warranty.Do You Need Upgrades or Permission?The home battery will connect to your main electrical panel via a cable, and it may require some upgrades. There was no room on my fuse board when I got a home battery installed, so they had to install a second breaker box.Some inverters may require permission from your electric distribution utility or local distribution company. Here in Scotland, the distribution network operator must approve your inverter, but you can install and then notify up to 3.6 kW, whereas larger inverters require prior approval.#Home #Batteries #Arent #Doomsday #Preppers #Heresshopping,energy,batteries,how-to,smart home,power

having one installed myself, and I have tips for anyone interested in getting a home battery of their own.

Why Would You Want a Home Battery?

There are several reasons you might want to invest in a home battery, and they are not mutually exclusive:

  • You want to store excess power from your solar panels.
  • You want to live off-grid.
  • You want to guard against power outages.
  • You want to buy electricity at a cheap rate and store it for use later.

Home batteries are a win-win, potentially benefiting power companies too, because battery storage is an essential part of grid balancing and can help manage and make the most of the intermittent power generated by renewables (solar, wind, waves).

How Do Home Batteries Work?

Image may contain Appliance Device Electrical Device and Refrigerator

Photograph: Simon Hill

A home battery is like a big power bank for your home. But rather than lithium-ion, they tend to be lithium iron phosphate (LFP or LiFePO4), because it is safer, more durable, and less prone to thermal runaway. In other words, less likely to overheat and burst into flames. There are a few manufacturers working with sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries, which are potentially cheaper, more environmentally friendly (they don’t require lithium), and perform better in the cold, but they are also larger and don’t last as long.

Home battery technology is often the same as you’ll find in electric vehicles. Some folks have even suggested employing EV batteries as home batteries. But there are potential issues with that, not least finding your car battery drained in the morning. EVs are also driving the technology forward toward solid-state batteries, which are smaller for the same capacity, safer as they don’t have liquid electrolytes inside, and longer lasting.

Many home batteries come in modular systems, so you can add the capacity you want, but they require an inverter to convert the DC (direct current) power stored to AC (alternating current) power you can use. Folks with solar panels, or those who plan to add them in the future, should opt for a hybrid inverter, which can also convert the power from the panels for use or storage.

Inverters have different power ratings in kilowatts (kW) that dictate how much power you can draw at any given moment. Households with modest needs may get by with a 3.6-kW inverter, but that limits your continuous draw to 3.6 kW. They usually have a peak load capability that goes higher, enabling you to pull more for a brief period. If you have high-demand appliances like an EV charger or heat pump, you will want at least 5 kW, and folks with larger demands or larger batteries will want to go higher (6 to 10 kW).

What Should I Look For?

There are several things to watch out for when buying a home battery:

  • Capacity: Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), this tells you how much total energy the battery can hold.
  • Power output: Measured in kilowatts (kW), this shows how much energy the battery and inverter can deliver at any moment.
  • Depth of discharge: This is how much of the battery’s capacity you can safely use without damaging it.
  • Efficiency: This is the percentage of the power you put into the battery that you can actually use, because some energy is always lost in the storage process.
  • Warranty: This is a guarantee about the minimum performance you can expect before a battery degrades (they all degrade over time), and it’s often stated in years and charging cycles (whichever comes first). For example, EcoFlow promises at least 70 percent capacity after 15 years or 6,000 charging cycles.

How Much Home Battery Do You Need?

Image may contain Electronics Mobile Phone Phone Computer Hardware and Hardware

EcoFlow via Simon Hill

It can be tricky to calculate how much battery capacity you need, and it depends on your use case. If you want to guard against outages or live off-grid, you must consider how much power you use over time and also the sum of your maximum power usage at any given moment to ensure your capacity in kWh and output in kW are enough. If the output is not high enough you may not be able to run power-hungry appliances at the same time, so you’ll have to think about how you use your power.

For folks like me, simply looking to buy at a cheaper rate to use when power is more expensive, any capacity will benefit you. But if you have a cheap six-hour rate overnight, for example, then you ideally want it to last for the other 18 hours. It makes sense to get as much as you can up-front because the installation costs are high. Even adding to modular systems later often requires professional installation to avoid voiding your warranty.

Do You Need Upgrades or Permission?

The home battery will connect to your main electrical panel via a cable, and it may require some upgrades. There was no room on my fuse board when I got a home battery installed, so they had to install a second breaker box.

Some inverters may require permission from your electric distribution utility or local distribution company. Here in Scotland, the distribution network operator must approve your inverter, but you can install and then notify up to 3.6 kW, whereas larger inverters require prior approval.

#Home #Batteries #Arent #Doomsday #Preppers #Heresshopping,energy,batteries,how-to,smart home,power">Home Batteries Aren’t Just for Doomsday Preppers. Here’s Why You Might Want One

With electricity costs soaring, home batteries have never looked so attractive. Whether you want to store the excess generated by your solar panels or simply buy electricity at the cheapest possible rate to use later when power is most expensive, a home battery can help. It’s never been easier to get a home battery installed, but this rapidly expanding market can be confusing, and there are several things to consider before you buy.

I’ve spent months researching home batteries, chatting to folks who use them, and then having one installed myself, and I have tips for anyone interested in getting a home battery of their own.

Why Would You Want a Home Battery?

There are several reasons you might want to invest in a home battery, and they are not mutually exclusive:

  • You want to store excess power from your solar panels.
  • You want to live off-grid.
  • You want to guard against power outages.
  • You want to buy electricity at a cheap rate and store it for use later.

Home batteries are a win-win, potentially benefiting power companies too, because battery storage is an essential part of grid balancing and can help manage and make the most of the intermittent power generated by renewables (solar, wind, waves).

How Do Home Batteries Work?

Image may contain Appliance Device Electrical Device and Refrigerator

Photograph: Simon Hill

A home battery is like a big power bank for your home. But rather than lithium-ion, they tend to be lithium iron phosphate (LFP or LiFePO4), because it is safer, more durable, and less prone to thermal runaway. In other words, less likely to overheat and burst into flames. There are a few manufacturers working with sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries, which are potentially cheaper, more environmentally friendly (they don’t require lithium), and perform better in the cold, but they are also larger and don’t last as long.

Home battery technology is often the same as you’ll find in electric vehicles. Some folks have even suggested employing EV batteries as home batteries. But there are potential issues with that, not least finding your car battery drained in the morning. EVs are also driving the technology forward toward solid-state batteries, which are smaller for the same capacity, safer as they don’t have liquid electrolytes inside, and longer lasting.

Many home batteries come in modular systems, so you can add the capacity you want, but they require an inverter to convert the DC (direct current) power stored to AC (alternating current) power you can use. Folks with solar panels, or those who plan to add them in the future, should opt for a hybrid inverter, which can also convert the power from the panels for use or storage.

Inverters have different power ratings in kilowatts (kW) that dictate how much power you can draw at any given moment. Households with modest needs may get by with a 3.6-kW inverter, but that limits your continuous draw to 3.6 kW. They usually have a peak load capability that goes higher, enabling you to pull more for a brief period. If you have high-demand appliances like an EV charger or heat pump, you will want at least 5 kW, and folks with larger demands or larger batteries will want to go higher (6 to 10 kW).

What Should I Look For?

There are several things to watch out for when buying a home battery:

  • Capacity: Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), this tells you how much total energy the battery can hold.
  • Power output: Measured in kilowatts (kW), this shows how much energy the battery and inverter can deliver at any moment.
  • Depth of discharge: This is how much of the battery’s capacity you can safely use without damaging it.
  • Efficiency: This is the percentage of the power you put into the battery that you can actually use, because some energy is always lost in the storage process.
  • Warranty: This is a guarantee about the minimum performance you can expect before a battery degrades (they all degrade over time), and it’s often stated in years and charging cycles (whichever comes first). For example, EcoFlow promises at least 70 percent capacity after 15 years or 6,000 charging cycles.

How Much Home Battery Do You Need?

Image may contain Electronics Mobile Phone Phone Computer Hardware and Hardware

EcoFlow via Simon Hill

It can be tricky to calculate how much battery capacity you need, and it depends on your use case. If you want to guard against outages or live off-grid, you must consider how much power you use over time and also the sum of your maximum power usage at any given moment to ensure your capacity in kWh and output in kW are enough. If the output is not high enough you may not be able to run power-hungry appliances at the same time, so you’ll have to think about how you use your power.

For folks like me, simply looking to buy at a cheaper rate to use when power is more expensive, any capacity will benefit you. But if you have a cheap six-hour rate overnight, for example, then you ideally want it to last for the other 18 hours. It makes sense to get as much as you can up-front because the installation costs are high. Even adding to modular systems later often requires professional installation to avoid voiding your warranty.

Do You Need Upgrades or Permission?

The home battery will connect to your main electrical panel via a cable, and it may require some upgrades. There was no room on my fuse board when I got a home battery installed, so they had to install a second breaker box.

Some inverters may require permission from your electric distribution utility or local distribution company. Here in Scotland, the distribution network operator must approve your inverter, but you can install and then notify up to 3.6 kW, whereas larger inverters require prior approval.

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