Peak shaving helps stabilize the grid in several key ways:
- Reduces Peak Demand: By decreasing the amount of electricity drawn from the grid during peak times, peak shaving reduces the stress on the grid. This is crucial because utilities often have to build and maintain infrastructure to meet these peak demands, which can be expensive and inefficient. By shaving off these peaks, less infrastructure is needed, and the existing grid can handle the load more effectively.
- Uses Stored Energy: Peak shaving often involves using battery energy storage systems (BESS) to store energy during off-peak times and release it during peak hours. This helps maintain a consistent power supply, reducing the sudden spikes in demand that can strain the grid.
- Enhances Grid Reliability: By managing peak demand, businesses can avoid triggering power outages that might occur if the grid is overloaded. This reliability is essential for critical infrastructure, such as data centers and hospitals.
- Facilitates Renewable Integration: Peak shaving can help balance the intermittency of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. By storing excess energy generated during non-peak times, businesses can use it during peak periods, ensuring a stable energy supply and contributing to grid stability.
- Supports Decarbonization: As more renewable energy sources are integrated into the grid, peak shaving helps manage the variable supply, supporting a transition to a more sustainable energy system.
In summary, peak shaving helps stabilize the grid by reducing peak electricity demand, utilizing stored energy, enhancing grid reliability, facilitating renewable integration, and supporting decarbonization efforts.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-peak-shaving-help-stabilize-the-grid/
