POWER, ENERGY & RENEWABLES
Inside a BESS
losses of only around one per cent for a BESS, and in the impact this wastage has for sustainability targets. At the heart of a smart microgrid, a BESS offers site-wide security of power in the event of any disruption to energy supply either until full power resumes or, in the event of a sustained disruption, until an emergency back-up can be brought into use. For one Powerstar customer, a world-leading aerospace manufacturer, the switch to modern BESS technology has proved game-changing. The client manufactures landing gear, suspension, and tram coupling bearings, and was suffering from power disruptions which, due to the precision nature of the manufacturing process, meant that energy supply issues were causing a halt in operations leading to the destruction of around eight material blocks each year, with each one costing the company more than £150,000. Powerstar installed a bespoke 1MW BESS with fast switching and control software to provide the required UPS. This solution is now protecting the site against disruption to operations and saving on the costly wastage and scrappage means a payback on the company’s initial investment of less than two years. Additionally, the storage capacity of the BESS means that the client can now engage in grid balancing services, meaning the capability to generate new revenue, to support the grid, and to make the best use of on-site renewables for security of energy supply, affordable electricity, and more sustainable, cleaner power generation. For another Powerstar client in the energy-
intensive glass industry, these threefold benefits have made a significant difference to operations, to their usage of on-site renewables, and to their business’ bottom line. Parkinson Spencer Refractories (PSR) were suffering from increasingly frequent disruptions to their grid
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supply, leading to blackouts which caused their kiln firing cycles to fail, wasting time, energy, and damaging their product. As a high energy user, PSR had already made a clear commitment to greener energy when they approached Powerstar looking for a solution that would offer a good return on investment while also supporting their progress to a more sustainable future. Working with GridBeyond, Powerstar installed a 250kW BESS, together with a 500kVA voltage optimisation system. The new BESS is protecting the site with UPS, avoiding the disruptions which had previously been costing the company between £20,000 and £100,000 per incident. Crucially, for the company’s ongoing sustainability strategy, the combination of Powerstar’s BESS and contract management from GridBeyond means that they can now fully harness the power generated by their on-site wind turbines, both for use at the plant and for revenue generation through supply to the grid. Considering the need to have a clear return
on investment, especially during difficult economic times, the potential to generate new revenue presents a compelling case for investment in BESS, alongside the case for installing renewable energy assets such as solar PV or onshore wind turbines. Combining the two technologies creates real opportunities - particularly for companies engaging with grid balancing services. Being able to draw electricity down form the grid rapidly when prices are low and to release this energy back when demand is high offers a revenue stream for businesses outside of their main area of activity - potentially helping companies to negotiate through difficult times. Demand Side Response (DSR) schemes help companies to add extra revenue while also assisting the grid to balance supply and demand. To engage with the most lucrative contracts, Firm
Frequency Response (FFR), companies need to respond in real-time, which can prove challenging. With BESS, a company can respond in the required timeframes - both for static and dynamic - reducing consumption for 30 minutes when there is a major drop in frequency for the former and offering the capability to either reduce or increase consumption within a couple of seconds for dynamic FFR. While energy pricing and the management of
supply and demand is, perhaps, more talked about and interrogated at a governmental level and in the media than ever before, UK manufacturing is at something of a crossroads - and the case for investment in BESS and on-site renewable assets is clear. Any business able to engage with grid balancing services will have a clear forecast of new revenue. As a minimum, the Availability Fee is paid regardless of whether the provider is called upon for the use of their asset, alongside the Nomination Fee which comes into force when the asset is needed by the grid. When considered alongside the potential benefits of zero-rated VAT to support purchase of renewable assets, and while the shift to more localised power generation and supply means that the UK’s energy infrastructure will only become increasingly unstable, the business case for BESS and on-site renewables is clear. In the Energy Trilemma, manufacturing can only survive if we can ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable power. For more information about the role of BESS in the Energy Trilemma, download Powerstar’s latest White Paper, Tackling the Energy Crisis with Intelligent Infrastructure:
https://offers.powerstar.com/energy- trilemma-white-paper
Powerstar
www.powerstar.com
info@powerstar.com
0333 230 1327 Spring 2023 UKManufacturing
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