POWER, ENERGY & RENEWABLES
BALANCING THE ENERGY TRILEMMA WITH ENERGY MANAGEMENT INNOVATION
Managing energy is a complex challenge for manufacturing, even in less turbulent times. But in the current economic climate the demands on the sector are more pressing than ever before. Alastair Morris, chief commercial officer at Powerstar, looks at the current landscape and three of the core technologies that are helping UK manufacturers meet the challenges of the Energy Trilemma.
well as the UK’s energy security by extending sources of power generation. Demand Side Response (DSR) is the process whereby surplus energy is released back to the grid, enabling the grid to intelligently manage supply and demand - increasingly important as intermittent energy generation from renewables forms a larger percentage of power generation. DSR contracts are, notably, facilitated by end users with BESS technology. Battery storage enables companies to fulfil the obligations of a DSR contract by turning up or down or offsetting their own demand in real time, thus helping to smooth out peaks and troughs in general demand. As a second option, Firm Frequency Response (FFR) is used by the National Grid to balance the grid in real time. FFR contracts can be the most lucrative but can also be the most challenging. FFR providers must meet contractually binding response times, requiring response to movements in system frequency within 30 seconds or less. Battery storage is one of the most appropriate technologies for FFR as it
UKManufacturing Autumn 2022
allows for the rapid draw down of energy from the grid, to be delivered back when needed. The instantaneous response times from a BESS lend it perfectly to the requirements of flexibility demanded by grid balancing. With high value/ high volume manufacturers struggling in the current energy crisis, the opportunity to offset energy costs through balancing services can make a major difference.
VOLTAGE OPTIMISATION As a part of a resilient energy strategy, voltage optimisation can bring immediate cost savings and emission reductions, helping manufacturers to meet the two Energy Trilemma arms of affordability and sustainability. The National Grid is obliged to supply 230V power, but typically operates with a fluctuating voltage. To compensate for this, the grid supplies a higher average voltage at around 245V. Since most electrical equipment in the UK is designed to work at 220V, this higher voltage can both damage equipment as well as shorten its lifespan.
Alastair Morris, chief commercial officer, Powerstar
Traditionally, the entire voltage to a site is transformed, however this solution leads to large losses. A modern alternative - and one meaning far lower energy losses - is to transform only the reduced voltage, either offering a set level reduction for high but stable incoming voltage profiles, or dynamically regulating a fluctuating voltage profile to maintain a specified set level. Lowering incoming voltage reduces overall electricity usage and Powerstar has incorporated this technology into more than 6,000 carbon reduction strategies to date. For one client, Precision Products, this voltage optimisation technology has meant significant improvements in costs and emissions. As a manufacturer and worldwide supplier of piston Continued on page 22...
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