Shifting power use could help businesses manage grid constraints

Businesses facing electricity-grid constraints may be able to make better use of their existing connection by changing when they consume power, rather than simply seeking a larger connection, according to a Nieuws.nl report. The approach matters as grid congestion can make extra capacity difficult to obtain in some areas.[1]

Electricity demand peaks when several high-powered processes run at once — for example, when production machinery starts while company vehicles are charging. Heating, cooling and other equipment can add to the load. If a business’s connection cannot meet that simultaneous demand, it may need to reduce or reschedule some consumption.

The first step is to identify when peaks occur and which equipment causes them. Businesses may then be able to stagger vehicle charging or start machines in sequence. An energy management system can coordinate equipment to spread demand more evenly across the day, the report says.[1]

Battery storage is another possible option: it can store electricity when capacity is available, then supply some power during periods of high demand. Whether that is suitable depends on the size and timing of a business’s needs, Nieuws.nl reports. The article presents these measures as options, not a guarantee that a company can avoid a capacity upgrade or resolve a grid constraint.