Peak shaving can indeed help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by managing energy demand during periods of high usage, thereby minimizing the reliance on less efficient and often more polluting power sources. Here are some key ways peak shaving contributes to this goal:
- Reducing Fossil Fuel Use: Peak shaving often involves using energy storage systems like batteries to store energy during off-peak periods when it might be cleaner and more abundant. This stored energy is then used during peak periods, which reduces the need to activate fossil fuel-based power plants that are typically less efficient and emit more greenhouse gases.
- Promoting Grid Stability: By lowering the peak demand on the grid, peak shaving helps prevent the overuse of additional power sources that might be necessary during peak times. This not only makes the grid more stable but also reduces the likelihood of needing to resort to polluting power sources.
- Supporting Renewable Energy: Peak shaving can be integrated with renewable energy sources. For example, energy can be stored from solar or wind power during periods of low demand, and then used during peak periods, further reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
- Encouraging Off-Peak Charging: In the context of electric vehicles, apps like EVnSteven encourage users to charge their vehicles during off-peak times, which helps reduce peak demand and lowers greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy generation.
Overall, peak shaving is an effective strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by optimizing energy usage and promoting more sustainable energy practices.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/can-peak-shaving-help-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions/
