How to Integrate Peak Shaving with Renewable Energy Sources
Overview of Peak Shaving
Peak shaving is an energy management strategy used to reduce electricity consumption during periods of high demand, typically achieved by using stored energy or alternative power sources. It helps in balancing renewable energy generation with demand, ensuring grid stability and reducing costs associated with peak demand charges.
Integration with Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are intermittent. Peak shaving can effectively manage these fluctuations by storing excess energy generated during off-peak times for use during peak demand periods.
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Batteries are crucial for storing excess renewable energy generated during periods of low demand. This stored energy is then used to power operations during peak periods, thus reducing reliance on the grid and lowering demand charges.
- Renewable Energy Generation and Storage Cycle:
- Generation Phase: Excess energy from solar panels or wind turbines is generated during off-peak periods.
- Storage Phase: This excess energy is stored in a BESS.
- Peak Shaving Phase: The stored energy is used during peak demand periods to reduce grid reliance.
- Grid Stability: Integrating renewable energy with peak shaving strategies enhances grid stability by smoothing out the variability of renewable energy sources. This approach ensures a consistent power supply, supporting grid resilience and reliability.
- Cost Benefits: Reducing peak demand charges through peak shaving can lead to substantial cost savings for businesses, as these charges often constitute a significant portion of their energy bills.
- Technology and Infrastructure: Advanced energy management systems (EMS) can optimize energy flows, monitor renewable generation, and manage battery storage to ensure peak shaving is executed efficiently and automatically.
Practical Examples
- Solar with Battery Storage: A business can store excess solar energy in batteries during the daytime and use it during the evening peak hours to reduce reliance on the grid.
- Wind Power Integration: Similarly, excess wind energy can be stored and discharged during periods of high demand, ensuring a stable power supply and minimizing grid strain.
Conclusion
By integrating peak shaving with renewable energy sources through the use of BESS, businesses can enhance grid stability, reduce energy costs, and increase their reliance on clean energy, thereby supporting a sustainable energy future.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-can-peak-shaving-be-integrated-with-renewable-energy-sources/
