By Constantinos Peonides, Director, Alectris
The recent heat storm in California, when everything that could go wrong did, caused prolonged and consecutive mandatory interruptions in electricity supply in the state. The heat wave caused the heavy use of air-conditioning, combined with the unavailability of some power plants to meet the demand (and a number of natural gas plants unexpectedly going offline), the insufficient generation of solar and wind and the inability to import energy from other states, inevitably pushed grid operators to impose blackouts. Solar generation plummeted in the evening, the winds slowed faster than expected and the same phenomenon happened in other states from which California traditionally imports electricity.
Renewable energy advocates and enthusiasts like myself believe that this problem is greatly owed to the outdated and inflexible traditional energy technologies currently in use. With the smart use of new technologies in combination with renewable and traditional sources of energy, the risk of possible future blackouts will greatly be alleviated.
In many parts of the world renewable energy plays an important role in the energy mix — in some cases up to 30% of the total energy demand. Part of the problem is when there are unexpected surges in demand combined with renewable energy sources producing less than expected. This unexpected required “top-up” exacerbates the problem, and this is what we need to solve. This “top-up” is traditionally covered by conventional energy power plants like natural gas that need to be turned on and remain on standby for long periods of time even if running on idle, making the whole process cost-inefficient. This process also causes grid stress and intensifies the risk of power shortfalls.
Going forward we need to build a new energy future. A future based on a hybrid model, with next-generation nuclear reactors, natural gas plants with carbon capture technologies, geothermal and others that can balance out variable renewables. Smart meters, electricity storage and payments for flexible demand that would lower costs and improve reliability for everyone are practices that will have to be adopted.
Solar power can very well match demand for air conditioning during the day hours. As wind usually blows when the sun is no longer shining, it means that the two can complement each other. And if a renewable resource is less available in one region of the country or continent, long-distance power lines can transmit electricity from other regions.
Solar, wind and energy storage have become more attractive in the last decade due to large advancements in technology and reduction in cost. Additionally, energy produced by solar and wind does not emit CO2, making their support all the more valid. Future advances in long-duration electric storage capacity will allow grid operators to shift supply to meet demand. “Demand response” arrangements, or payments to customers who temporarily reduce their consumption, could help smooth imbalances. Intercontinental transmission would help move power from where it is more reliably generated to where it is more needed.
Another important parameter that will play a crucial role in the success of the future energy system is distributed or decentralized energy production that can efficiently be developed by the extensive use of solar energy. Every household or factory should produce and use its own energy. If additional energy is required, it should be easily available from the grid. The success of the system very much depends on the political will, legal framework and transparent free trading.
Technology and digitalization are at the core of the development of the future hybrid model. Embracing technology for better forecasting, better asset management and modernization of the grid are some of the main factors that will constitute vastly toward the success of such a system.
Constantinos Peonides is Director for Alectris. Alectris provides O&M, remote monitoring and asset management services through its proprietary ACTIS ERP.
Solarman says
“Solar, wind and energy storage have become more attractive in the last decade due to large advancements in technology and reduction in cost. Additionally, energy produced by solar and wind does not emit CO2, making their support all the more valid. Future advances in long-duration electric storage capacity will allow grid operators to shift supply to meet demand. “Demand response” arrangements, or payments to customers who temporarily reduce their consumption, could help smooth imbalances. Intercontinental transmission would help move power from where it is more reliably generated to where it is more needed.”
The solar PV with smart ESS can drive this movement. With the proper ‘power’ signals from the grid or just careful mapping of one’s household loads, algorithms can be written to run one’s home the most efficiently off of back up power from the battery pack and a grid interactive inverter. IF one’s local utility has a TOU rate period every day, program the battery pack and inverter to power on during this time to limit or eliminate the TOU power use and rate spiking. As battery pack pricing comes down, residential customers will be able to add more solar PV to their home systems and larger battery packs and inverters to take over more of the home’s average load each day.
” Another important parameter that will play a crucial role in the success of the future energy system is distributed or decentralized energy production that can efficiently be developed by the extensive use of solar energy. Every household or factory should produce and use its own energy. If additional energy is required, it should be easily available from the grid. The success of the system very much depends on the political will, legal framework and transparent free trading.”
It is interesting that farms and craft beer breweries seem to be leading the way to alternative energy in the business model process. Many cattle production and Dairy Farms have gone solar PV to power their operations, so have several wineries over the years and now more ‘mechanized’ processes like brewing beer is being used to manufacture product without the previous energy overhead. Fighting nature has never been a wise decision, in the case of manufacturing, using the power of the sun or wind to make products seems more in line with using these ‘facts’ of life to power a livelihood and economy.