Yes, peak shaving can play a crucial role in reducing the strain on the grid during heatwaves. Peak shaving involves strategies to reduce energy consumption during periods of high demand, such as heatwaves, when electricity usage tends to increase significantly due to cooling needs.
How Peak Shaving Helps Reduce Grid Strain During Heatwaves
- Reducing Peak Demand: By shaving off these peaks, facilities can decrease the amount of electricity drawn from the grid when it is most strained. This can be achieved through methods like:
- Curtailment: Shutting down non-essential machinery or adjusting operational schedules.
- On-Site Generation: Using solar, wind, or other on-site energy sources, especially when combined with battery energy storage systems (BESS) to supply power during peak hours.
- Battery Energy Storage: Storing energy during off-peak hours and using it during peak periods to reduce grid demand.
- Lowering Dependence on Fossil Fuel Peakers: Peak shaving can reduce the reliance on fossil fuel-based peaker plants that are often activated during peak demands, contributing to lower emissions and energy costs.
- Enhancing Grid Stability: By smoothing out demand spikes, peak shaving helps maintain grid stability and reduces the risk of blackouts or brownouts, which are more common during heatwaves when grid infrastructure is under stress.
Overall, peak shaving is a valuable strategy for mitigating the strain on the power grid during heatwaves by efficiently managing electricity consumption and promoting sustainable energy practices.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/can-peak-shaving-help-reduce-the-strain-on-the-grid-during-heatwaves/
