Use of PV and/or energy storage solutions in industry and commerce

The use of PV and/or energy storage solutions has many advantages, especially in industry and commerce:

1) Load peak capping / peak shaving

Peak shaving is a form of load management that is used to reduce electricity consumption at peak load times by reducing demand on the electricity grid at times of high demand. This is done by using stored energy or by generating your own electricity. Peak shaving can lead to major savings in grid usage fees, particularly for commercial and industrial consumers, as these often depend on the highest peak demand. In the case of intensive or atypical electricity grid usage, savings of up to 80% can be made. Peak shaving is therefore a valuable tool that can be of great benefit to companies in particular.

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Source: Huawei

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1.1) How does peak shaving work with a photovoltaic system and battery storage? - Commercial peak shaving -

From an economic point of view, the use of photovoltaics and battery storage for the targeted reduction of short-term peak loads is very interesting: even comparatively small investments can lead to significant cost savings. Peak shaving, i.e. the "shaving" of load peaks, has so far usually been achieved by reducing electricity demand - but often to the detriment of ongoing production.

However, the combination of self-generated solar power on site and an associated storage concept offers companies new opportunities to reduce costs. This is because, in addition to grid power, an electricity storage system can "step in" when a lot of energy is needed. Possible load peaks are thus absorbed by the storage system. As the storage system is fed with electricity from your own photovoltaic system, the consumption of electricity from the grid does not increase - regardless of whether the sun is shining. A photovoltaic system with a suitably dimensioned storage system therefore saves money. In combination with smart load management, modern, intelligent electricity storage systems provide the additional electricity required in a matter of seconds, exactly when it is needed.

 Source: e.on

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1.2) Technical peak load capping

Another option for using peak load capping is technical peak load capping.

Here, for example, in a company that has a maximum connected load of 100 kW available but repeatedly requires more than 100 kW connected load at short notice, the industrial battery storage system can provide the required power to keep operations running.

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1.3) A storage solution must be designed correctly

 Renewable energies and digitalization are opening up completely new opportunities for companies to adapt energy generation and storage to their own electricity requirements. For targeted peak shaving, it is important that the storage system is correctly dimensioned.

The optimum size of an energy storage system depends on the individual conditions and requirements of the business in question. A key factor is the company's load profile. This should be known in detail and predictable for the planning of a storage system. If production processes can also be adapted so that they can be adapted to the use of the PV system and battery storage system, peak shaving can be used particularly efficiently as a solution.

The cost-effectiveness of the storage system depends primarily on the potential level of electricity cost savings. The increase in self-consumption of solar power and the cost reduction through peak shaving must be taken into account here. Added to this is the cost-effectiveness of the PV system itself, depending on size, orientation and solar radiation. Companies should therefore always seek advice from energy experts when planning a solar system with a storage solution. This is because a system consisting of a PV system and energy storage will only pay for itself within a few years if it is planned correctly.

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2) Optimization of self-consumption  

Refers to measures with which companies can maximize their own consumption of self-generated electricity from photovoltaic systems (PV systems), for example, instead of feeding it into the grid. This optimization helps to reduce electricity costs and reduces dependence on external energy suppliers, which makes an important contribution to the sustainability of electricity supply from renewable energies in Germany.    

In order to optimize self-consumption, various additional measures can be implemented, such as

• Use of battery storage to use surplus energy yourself
• Activate targeted consumption when there is a surplus (heating systems, etc.)
• Charging electric vehicles with surplus

Battery storage systems, such as the Huawei LUNA2000-200kWh-2H0 industrial storage system, play a central role in optimizing self-consumption. They store surplus electricity, whether self-generated with a PV system or purchased cheaply, and make it available later, e.g. when peak loads occur.

Source: MVV Energie AG

‍3) Emergency power supply/ backup power supply/ UPS - Uninterruptible power supply                              

There are various terms and technical methods for using the required power after a power failure. The IT industry is familiar with the so-called UPS. These ensure that the power supply to the connected devices is maintained via an integrated battery for as long as necessary, even in the event of a power failure, until a computer or server can shut down in a controlled manner, for example.

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The backup power supply has a different objective to the UPS. Here, in conjunction with a PV system and the battery storage system, selected loads (or, in the private sector, the entire family home) continue to be supplied with PV power via an automatic switchover device until the battery and/or the PV system can no longer produce power.

The switchover from mains power to backup power supply requires a technical and normative interruption in order to be able to set up the new power grid (stand-alone grid).

A combination of UPS and a backup power supply can be optimally combined here, e.g. to better guarantee the power supply of IT infrastructures and increase reliability.

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The so-called emergency power supply plays little or no significant role in the commercial sector. In the case of PV systems for private use, one or two sockets can be connected to the inverter/battery storage unit near the PV system or activated in the event of a power failure. The power depends on the manufacturer of the PV system.

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‍4) Variable / dynamic electricity tariffs  

Variable electricity tariffs are alternative solutions to standard electricity tariffs. The variable electricity price changes according to price specifications from the electricity exchange. This means that the electricity price can change during the day or from month to month.

Advantages can be achieved if self-consumption is adapted to fluctuating electricity prices. Prices can fluctuate due to factors such as supply and demand as well as the time of day.    

The main prerequisites for using dynamic electricity tariffs are        

• a smart meter with a stable Internet connection
• If necessary, access to an energy manager to control consumption efficiently.

Optimal use of dynamic electricity tariffs can be achieved if, for example, industrial battery storage systems are used:              

• If required, the cheap electricity can be purchased and temporarily stored in the battery storage system so that it can be used afterwards or even fed into the exchange/resold at a better price later on
• Can be used in combination with a PV system in poor weather conditions if the battery storage system cannot be charged without PV power

Overall, dynamic tariffs promote efficient use and contribute to the integration of renewable energies into the electricity grid.

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5) Grid quality / grid-serving storage systems

An industrial battery storage system is characterized by the fact that it not only stores surplus solar energy, but also actively contributes to improving the stability and efficiency of the power grid.

Power quality problems, such as harmonics, often occur in the standard grid. This interference is caused by electronic components such as power supply units for cell phone chargers and much more.

Huawei offers a solution with intelligent harmonic suppression algorithms to mitigate the impact of various loads on the power quality of microgrids (decentralized power distribution)

Improved grid quality is crucial to ensure the proper operation of precision manufacturing facilities and IT infrastructures - this also applies in off-grid scenarios.