Peak shaving: intelligent peak shaving for lower energy costs and greater grid stability
Relevance for companies and energy costs
For many companies, peak loads are a significant cost factor. They don’t just influence consumption, but also the extent of grid charges. A single peak, which represents the maximum annual electricity consumption, can significantly increase electricity costs. With peak shaving, companies can reduce these costly peaks and at the same time make an important contribution to network stability.
Why are peak loads so expensive for companies?
The calculation of electricity costs is based not only on average consumption, but above all on the peaks that the company reaches over the course of a year. Grid operators calculate the demand charge based on these peak loads – the higher the peak load, the higher the costs. A short-term peak can therefore result in the company having to pay disproportionately high grid usage charges.
Strain on the utility grid
Peak loads not only constitute a financial burden for companies, but also a challenge for electricity grids. When many consumers demand large amounts of electricity at the same time, the grid is put under greater strain, which can lead to instability. The targeted reduction of these peak loads by applying peak shaving relieves the strain on the grid and ensures a more even distribution of electricity throughout the day – a win-win situation for companies and utilities.
How does peak shaving work?
Peak shaving can be achieved through the intelligent management of power consumption. This is where battery storage systems come in. They are charged during periods of low demand and supply electricity at high peak loads. This reduces the load at the grid connection point by using stored energy instead of drawing additional electricity from the grid. The method enables companies to reduce their peak loads at the grid connection point flexibly and cost-effectively.
The role of battery storage systems and PV installations
Battery storage systems and PV installations play a key role in peak shaving. The battery storage system charges at times when electricity prices are low or using excess solar power from the PV installation, and discharges when demand increases. This not only reduces dependency on the grid, it also maximizes the use of renewable energies. For companies, the use of battery storage systems with PV has many positive effects:
lower energy costs, a higher self-consumption rate and a contribution to a sustainable energy future.
The benefits of peak shaving for companies at a glance
The long-term benefits of peak shaving for companies lie primarily in the effective ability to reduce energy costs, promote network stability and at the same time operate more sustainably. In conclusion, the benefits of peak shaving for companies can be summarized as follows:
- Lower energy costs: High power charges are avoided by using battery storage systems to cover peak loads.
- Increased grid stability: Reduces the load on the utility grid and minimizes voltage fluctuations.
- Efficient use of renewable energies: Storage of surplus solar energy and maximization of self-consumption.
- Enhanced sustainability: Reduces the use of fossil fuels and strengthens the company’s environmentally friendly image.
Peak shaving with ADS-TEC Energy
ADS-TEC Energy offers innovative solutions for efficient peak shaving that are tailored to the needs of modern companies. With advanced battery storage systems and tailored energy management solutions, we enable companies to reduce peak loads without impacting ongoing operations. Our technology recharges the batteries during periods of low demand and makes this stored energy available at peak times. Thanks to this intelligent control system, you can not only save costs, but also make better use of the benefits of renewable energies.
How it works in practice – possible applications in different industries
Peak shaving with ADS-TEC Energy provides an effective solution to reduce costs, especially in industries with high and irregular energy requirements. For example, bakeries require a lot of electricity for ovens and cooling systems in the early hours of the morning, while sawmills require a lot of energy for mechanical saws and drying systems.
Gas stations, which are often busy in the evenings, also benefit from peak shaving. By using battery storage systems from ADS-TEC Energy, these companies can cushion their peak loads in a targeted manner and reduce electricity consumption costs.
Example of cost savings
Let’s say a production plant has a peak load of 800 kW, which only occurs for 15 minutes per year. This short peak load could significantly increase the annual power costs due to the high demand charge. With a peak shaving system, this peak load could be reduced to 500 kW, which means significant savings in grid usage charges. At a price of EUR 80 per kW, reducing the peak load by 300 kW in this way would lead to savings of EUR 24,000 per year. This saving makes peak shaving an attractive solution for companies that want to sustainably reduce their energy costs.
Future prospects for peak shaving
Peak shaving is more than just a temporary solution to reduce peak loads – it is an important part of modern energy management. In the face of rising energy costs and growing demands on grid stability, intelligent load management systems are becoming increasingly important. The integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning makes it possible to analyze and predict a company’s load profile even more accurately.
This enables companies to reduce their peak loads in a targeted manner and therefore further optimize their energy expenditure. In the future, peak shaving could become even more efficient and user-friendly through the application of intelligent systems that automatically react to load fluctuations.
Looking ahead to legislative changes and new technologies
The legal situation in Germany is quite changeable, particularly with regard to renewable energies and the framework conditions for their use. With the focus on a sustainable energy industry, legislative amendments could therefore increase the importance of peak shaving even further. In Germany and other countries, consideration is already being given to introducing flexible grid charges that reward companies for a stable load profile. In addition, government support programs and tax breaks for companies that rely on load management could provide additional incentives.
Technologies such as bidirectional charging stations for electric vehicles, which act as mobile storage systems, open up additional opportunities to reduce peak loads and minimize grid load. These kinds of developments offer new opportunities for companies to reduce their energy costs and increase the efficiency of their energy management system.
Does peak shaving make sense for my company?
Whether peak shaving makes sense for your company depends on a number of factors. Companies with high short-term electricity requirements or load profiles that fluctuate a lot are the most likely to benefit from peak shaving. Important decision-making criteria include the level of peak loads, the flexibility of the production process and the availability of renewable energy sources such as PV systems.
Peak shaving is ideal for companies that not only want to reduce their energy costs, but also value sustainability and grid stability. In-depth analysis of individual load profiles and expert advice can help in assessing the benefits and potential of peak shaving.
Contact us!
If you would like to learn more about peak shaving and the tailor-made solutions from ADS-TEC Energy, our experts are at your disposal for a non-binding consultation. ADS-TEC Energy delivers comprehensive solutions for peak shaving that are tailored precisely to the needs of your company. Contact us for a tailored analysis of potential and find out how you can reduce your energy costs over the long term while at the same time contributing to grid stability.