Peak load shaving refers to the targeted reduction of power peaks in companies that have a significantly increased power consumption at certain times. These peaks, also known as peak loads, not only affect grid stability, but also lead to higher costs. To ensure the availability of power, electricity suppliers charge an additional capacity price, which is calculated based on the maximum power peak of a company. An effective energy management of peak load shaving can therefore be decisive in reducing operating costs and increasing energy efficiency.
Functionality of peak load shaving
Battery storage systems play a central role in peak shaving. These systems enable the power consumption of plants and machines to be controlled in such a way that during peak loads, the required energy is drawn from the battery storage system and not from the grid. This avoids expensive peak loads, which leads to a reduction in operating costs. This method is also known as peak shaving, in which peak loads are effectively capped.
Causes of peak loads
The causes of peak loads in companies are varied:
- High energy demand: Especially in the manufacturing industry, there are often short-term increases in power consumption, which manifest themselves in the form of peak loads.
- Unpredictable production processes: Starting up machines or systems can lead to sudden load increases.
Consequences of peak loads
- Increased energy costs: Companies must expect higher electricity bills, as energy suppliers calculate a capacity price due to the peak loads.
- Grid overload: Frequent peak loads can endanger the stability of the power grid.
Strategies for peak load shaving
- Physical peak load shaving: Battery storage is used here to compensate for the power demand during peak loads by means of temporarily stored energy.
- Peak load shaving with registered load profile (RLM): With this method, the power consumption is dynamically compensated by ensuring that peak loads do not exceed a predefined threshold within 15-minute intervals. This strategy is also frequently used for commercial storage systems.
Advantages of peak load shaving
- Cost reduction: Companies can save significantly on their grid charges by avoiding an expensive capacity price.
- Increased efficiency: Better control of energy costs and a measurable CO2 reduction are further advantages of peak load shaving.
- Faster amortization: The use of battery storage systems for peak load shaving enables more efficient storage utilization and thus faster amortization of the investment.
Summary of peak load shaving
Peak load shaving is an effective method to counteract the increased costs due to peak load. Through the targeted use of battery storage, companies can not only reduce their operating costs, but also contribute to the stability of the power grid.
Note: Please note that the Wiki entry on peak load shaving is for information purposes only and does not replace legal advice. be.storaged GmbH assumes no guarantee for the completeness, accuracy and timeliness of the information in this entry.
