Getting Control of Electricity Expenses Using Smart Energy Storage

Maintaining the balance of supply and demand in our electrical power system is critical to accommodate the needs of the users. It requires that we over supply the system with electricity in order to meet an increase in demand during peak periods. This practice can be wasteful as oftentimes we have trillions of dollars’ worth of energy just sitting, waiting to be used. It also impacts the efficiency of power plant operations, and causes additional greenhouse gas emissions.

The efficient storage of energy is a critical element of our electric power system. We have an ever-aging power grid that would profit from energy storage. We would be able to accommodate the provision of renewable energy, and would also more efficiently meet the needs of utilities and customers needing the energy. There are numerous areas within our current power system to install storage points. Many thousands of these storage systems are already installed at power facilities around the world. In developing an effective system for the storage of energy, we should keep in mind just what energy storage is and how it can be initiated today in facilities located throughout the country.

The ability to connect storage units to our power grid is not a foreign concept to us. There are over 1,000 storage systems located worldwide. There are a number of technologies and approaches to the management of power for commercial and industrial facilities that accommodate the conventional design of a building:

   - Combining solid-state batteries with an intelligent software system where they can charge and discharge based on the building’s energy requirements, weather, and track records of usage.

   - Usage of a flow rechargeable battery which has the ability to store energy in an electrolyte solution that will produce a longer cycle life and rapid response times.

   - Systems can store electricity as kinetic energy in a flywheel. When power needs go down, the rotor continues to spin producing kinetic energy that can be transformed into electricity. Flywheels accommodate the quality and reliability of power.

   - Stored energy in the form of heat or cold, referred to as thermal storage is an alternative that includes making ice when power needs are low. When energy demands increase, the ice system switches off the air-conditioner and uses the stored ice to produce cooling.

There are many points in the grid where energy storage can be installed. Currently there are many thousands of systems connected with the grid, and are behind the meter at residential, commercial, and industrial locales around the world. There are many benefits to facilities participating in this program. They include a reduction in demand charges, demand response program participation, time-of-use rates, maximization and emergency backup.

Charge Reduction

Based on the facility’s location, many are assessed demand charges on their bills. Based on the fifteen minute period of the day when their energy demand is at its highest, these charges can comprise over 50% of their respective bill for energy.

Even though electricity consumption can be reduced by energy efficiency programs or solar PV, these programs do not always reduce a building’s peak usage. Energy storage systems combined with intelligent software can track and reduce a facility’s load and charges for demand by initiating battery power during high demand, which would essentially reduce the billable load of the facility.

Demand Response Programs

Energy storage can allow a facility to reduce its energy requirements during periods of high demand which can lower its electricity bill. Being included in a demand response market can be done without impacts to on-site energy usage or operations.

Storage systems have the ability to increase financial return from demand response programs, and can also benefit the overall grid.

Time-of-Use Rates

High demand periods of energy usage are costly. Storage systems can initiate consumption from these expensive high demand periods to those of low demand. Should any tariff structure change over time causing peak demand periods shifting to the evening, energy storage systems can accommodate the new time demand thus producing additional savings.

Emergency Backup

Most commercial and industrial facilities have developed a comprehensive plan for emergency backup. These situations can be costly when dependence is predicated on a local emergency backup program. There are advanced storage solutions available currently that can provide emergency backup along with many other money saving and revenue generating solutions. By using the power storage program for reduction of demand charges, the storage can produce savings in the event of an outage of power.

Case Study: Glenwood New York Project

One of New York City’s most prominent rental property owners is the Glenwood real estate organization. They pledge to their residents a “Manhattan lifestyle.” They were concerned about a demand of 13 gigawatts of peaking power being placed on the city’s grid during the hot months of summer and the use of air conditioners.

To accommodate this issue, they participated in “demand response programs” along with New York ISO and Con Edison, which are focused on reducing loads during peak periods. Using energy storage-based solutions at many of its properties, Glenwood has been working with Demand Energy. Systems that are controlled by the Demand’s Distributed Energy Network Optimization System (DEN.OS), maximize the returns of behind-the meter storage systems, either singularly or in conjunction with distributed generation.

During 2012, a 225 kW/2 MWh storage system with Demand’s DEN.OS software was installed by Glenwood in the Barclay Tower property located in downtown Manhattan. The system’s compactness allowed it to be installed in smaller spaces like garages and basements. With its installation, Glenwood was able to switch modes from “demand capping” to “demand response” without being penalized. It also gave Con Edison the ability to manage its peak electricity demand throughout various sections of New York.

With New York having one of the most costly demand charges in the world, Glenwood realized a 14 percent reduction in its cost of energy and power which underlines the potential for battery-based storage to accommodate challenges to the grid throughout the year. Demand Energy in conjunction with Glenwood is now planning the installation of an additional l MW/4 MWh of storage systems to other Glenwood buildings that will provide distributed support to grids.

As a demonstrated proven bank of technologies, energy storage has been available for many years. With the progress in technology over the years, there is currently a large range of reliable and affordable options for storage accessible to companies so that they can provide grid-connected storage programs for the market.

Power Plus! is a leading provider of reliable non-radioactive power generators across the United States and Canada.

Have a question or comment for Power Plus!? We'd love to hear from you!
Please provide your contact information and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Contact Power Plus @ (800) 863-2525 | sales@powerplus.com

See Our Other Power Posts!

3 Uses for Portable Generators

Portable generators are a must-have when it comes to your business. If there’s a power outage or a natural disaster, you want to be covered.

When the sun starts to come out and the flowers start to bloom, that doesn’t just mean that it’s spring. It also means that it’s time to check up on your business’s backup generator that may have weathered any storms during the winter months. Cold, wet weather may cause erosion or rust build-up. Now is the perfect time to check on the backup generator at your business.

Portable generators range from smaller tow-able 15kw generators to forty-foot ISO contained 2000kw generators. Most commonly, these portable generators are used in places that do not have access to the power grid or as an emergency unit when the grid fails.

Electricity and power are a common day necessity. For those that need backup power, you can rely on large portable generators. Industrial generators serve as emergency power or as the main power source when other resources are not available.

Industrial standby generators represent a sizable capital investment. If the standby generator fails when called into action it is almost always accompanied by potentially dangerous conditions and/or risk of significant financial loss.

The Economist, in 2007, reported that “America’s nuclear industry is about to embark on its biggest expansion in more than a generation. This will influence energy policy in the rest of the world”.

An open source platform, accessible by everyone, has been developed by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) to help people know the answers to some unanswered questions.

Preparing for the winter ahead is essential to protecting your business. A few steps now can help avoid inconvenience, discomfort and potential catastrophe.

Maintaining the balance of supply and demand in our electrical power system is critical to accommodate the needs of the users.

Nearly 3 years after super-storm Sandy, with scientists predicting more extreme weather conditions for the future, many companies have started to consider the installation of a backup generator to provide basic electricity and water functions in case of a major natural disaster.

Construction crews in severe winter states, on a schedule of completion, are frequently faced with power outages caused by storms, and other nature related impacts.

Preparing Your Business for Natural Disasters. Seasonal Challenges. Community Responsibilities. Disaster Readiness. Preparing for the Future.

Learn how you can easily maintain your power generator. Avoid future mishaps. Provided by Power Plus located throughout the United States.

More power generated and more money saved means a greater defense force for these United States of America.

The state of New York has a rough road ahead. The state is currently being sued by local and state natural gas and coal power plant providers.

The public has always had a love-hate relationship with the very idea of nuclear energy, as can be observed by its consistent role in apocalyptic scenarios in pop culture, video games and the movies.

When a natural disaster or other emergency situations strike, what’s the first thing you’re left without? See what power generator is right for you.

Let the experts at Power Plus! find you the power generator you need for your business and install it so it will operate safely and efficiently.

During power outages, critical power failures can occur, damaging your business and affecting your profit. Here are 10 ways that you can ensure that your business has backup power during a crisis.

A complete business emergency prep plan can help address each aspect of response and the best time to develop such a plan is before disaster strikes.

Keep your home and or office ready to go in case of an unexpected outage of power. Power generator maintenance can be difficult. Contact Power Plus for assistance.

According to some survivalist, almost 80% of the population would not survive the first 100 days of the apocalypse.

Power outages are affecting business profit and production. Avoid the hassle with a reliable commercial power generator.

Permanent or portable power generators can minimize the negative effects a power outage can have on your business and or residence.

Emergency Preparedness 101

Emergency Preparedness 101. Power Plus is a leading provider of temporary power solutions throughout the United States and Canada.

If you’re having trouble with your industrial portable generator, you’re in the right place! We can help you get up and running quickly, minimizing downtime and associated expenses.

When renting a portable diesel generator you need to consider how you are going to get the power from the generator to your project or event.

What on Earth are you doing? Most of us have been asked a variation of this question in regards to how we are negatively affecting the environment.

As a leader in providing commercial power generators, Power Plus! can assist you with determining the needs of your business to accommodate your power needs during a power outage caused by winter’s elements, or other power outage situation.

All health care professionals should take the necessary precautions by having a back up generator to use if necessary.

Power Plus is your one-stop source for all of your power generator needs. For repair, sales, rentals, installation and maintenance, we can handle your power generator requirements.

Don’t wait until the power goes out to have a standby power system in place. Contact Power Plus for all of your back up power needs.

There are many factors to consider when selecting a temporary power provider for your construction site. Here you will learn two major aspects you must start to consider.

When using a generator during a power outage, follow these safety tips to help you keep your house up and running.

Choosing between temporary power poles or an industrial generator rental is a decision that comes up often when starting a new construction project. Determining which method of temporary power would be cost effective is not always obvious, and managers occasionally struggle making that decision.

An important part of any preparedness plan for businesses is the generator. A large power generator can decrease business interruption during a power outage.

With summer at our doorstep, it’s time to prepare for the insanely hot weather it brings with it. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are not ways that you want to enjoy the weather.

We received an emergency call where the customer stated that unit would not start. We found that the generator controller was providing an intermittent start signal.

This job has had some challenges from the start to say the least! It's a multi-million dollar aquarium that will house several different marine life, including a dolphin exhibit.

During an inspection for Sunrise Senior Living at Grosse Point, MI, Roger Herring found that one of the rear freeze plugs was leaking antifreeze between the generator end and the engine and it would require both items to be separated for replacement.

Target - May 2016 Job of the Month

Power Plus was awarded three generator installations for Target in California in 2015/2016.

In NorCal, one of our biggest and best customers is Helix Electric. They give us all of their temporary power work; they never bid us out.

Facing more severe storms almost countrywide, and a rise in power outages; power generators have become more common for commercial and residential use.

The Irvine Company is one of the Applicant/EEI division's top customers, and in the top 20 of all Power Plus' Customers.

5 Tips to Prepare for a Tornado

Should you be preparing for a tornado? Have A Plan.

Installing and maintaining a generator is no easy process. Safety procedures should be followed to ensure your generator runs safely and efficiently.

After years in the slumps, the journey to harvest energy from the waters is accumulating speed.

Temporary Power Poles or Rental Generator is a decision that comes up often when starting a new construction project.

Power Generator Safety Musts

Power Generator Safety Musts. Power Plus is a leading provider of backup power systems throughout the United States.

If you don’t have a temporary power generator installed at your business yet, the first thing you need to do is look into getting one.

Corporate Headquarters

Service Always Available

We Answer Our Phones 24/7

Generator Rental

Generator Installs

Generator Consulting

Generator Service

Emergency Services

Designed Video Surveillance

Our Approach

Cameras & Hardware

Monitoring & Software

Industries

Resources

Getting Control of Electricity Expenses Using Smart Energy Storage

Charge Reduction

Demand Response Programs

Time-of-Use Rates

Emergency Backup

Case Study: Glenwood New York Project

See Our Other Power Posts!

Corporate Headquarters

Service Always Available

We Answer Our Phones 24/7

Getting Control of Electricity Expenses Using Smart Energy Storage

Charge Reduction

Demand Response Programs

Time-of-Use Rates

Emergency Backup

Case Study: Glenwood New York Project

See Our Other Power Posts!

Cookie Preferences