By Richard von Moltke – general manager at Static Power, a division of Actom
Expanding electricity generation capacity to meet demand might seem like the only solution, but it’s not the first step or only solution. This is the second instalment of a two-part series.
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Lately, due to the increased utility charges for energy, and the reduction in cost for battery energy storage systems, the business case for adding battery energy storage to large power users (LPU’s) has improved significantly, even without the use of solar PV.
However, storing and discharging energy is not as simple as it sounds. It requires carefully selected equipment with a sophisticated energy- and battery-management system that monitors the health of the battery system down to battery and cell levels, predicts its energy needs, and ensures that the system operates efficiently. Such a system continuously analyses the energy demand and supply, to and from the various integrated energy sources and loads.
Tailored solutions
No two businesses are the same, especially in sectors like mining and manufacturing where operations can be unpredictable. Machines must be turned on and off, shifts change, and production schedules vary, all causing fluctuations in power demand and a one-size-fits-all energy solution will not cut it here. By deeply analysing load profiles and operational requirements, energy solution providers can design customised systems that respond to the unique energy consumption patterns for each site, having identified specific periods when energy usage spikes and targeting those for load shifting or battery use. It is however important to understand that not all equipment are equal and not all equipment will work in every application. Equipment selection is vital, and this includes both the primary power equipment as well as the control equipment. It is also important to ensure that the selected equipment will be supported for the next 10 or more years.
Looking ahead – AI, weather data and proactive energy use
It’s truly exciting how these systems will mature soon. Some larger micro-grid installations are now incorporating weather stations directly into their energy management systems, allowing them to monitor local weather conditions in real time and soon, even use forecasts to inform decisions about energy use and storage requirements. When a sunny day is predicted, a system with solar power integration would opt to store less battery energy overnight, knowing it can rely on solar generation during the day. Conversely, if a cloudy day or storm is expected, the system can conserve battery charge to ensure backup power is available when needed.
Taking this a step further, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will enable these energy management systems to make even smarter predictions and decisions autonomously. AI will analyse complex data patterns, including weather forecasts, historical consumption profiles, and tariff changes, to optimise when to store or use battery energy and even which loads to switch off temporarily to prevent running out of backup power.
Smart energy management becomes a competitive edge
Proactive energy management is about more than reducing cost. It’s about achieving operational resilience. Through the careful balancing of the battery state of charge and load shifting or peak shaving in response to real-time data from load analysis, companies can maintain uninterrupted operations while making the most of cost-saving opportunities.
As this technology continues to advance, the integration of weather data and AI will only make these solutions more powerful, allowing businesses to anticipate their energy needs and adapt proactively. In energy-heavy industries, the ability to manage power smartly will be the difference between business as usual and falling behind.
Source: Supplied by Actom
