Understanding Peak Shaving and Diesel Generator Role

If you have experienced a high electricity bill after using the utility grids, it is probably due to exceeding energy usage limits. During peak hours, electricity consumption is pretty high, causing high electricity charges. Peak shaving is the necessary step in such a case.

Aujourd'hui, we will understand what exactly peak shaving is, how you can implement it, and how diesel Générateurs help in the peak shaving processes. Let’s know it in detail.

What is Peak Shaving?

If you are using the utility grid for your Maison or commercial setup, the energy usage might peak at times.

Peak shaving is a process to cut short the peak energy usage and maintain the constant energy consumption at constant rates.

Pourquoi?

Because:

• Peak hours cause higher electrical bills due to higher energy consumption.
• Demand charges increase, and electricity providers charge based on the peak usage.
• Peak shaving reduces the electrical charges and provides a stable electrical bill.

Real-World Example

If you still don’t understand what the peak hours and demand charges are, let’s use an example.

Consider an example of a manufacturing plant that has a daily demand of 300kW. Cependant, during the shift changes and multiple machine operations simultaneously, the demand increases to 500kW.

Without peak shaving, here is what it looks like:

• Grid demand reaches 500 kW.
• The utility records this as the monthly peak demand.
• The business pays demand charges based on 500 kW.

To slash the electrical bills, you use a 200kW generator for peak shaving. In that case, here is how it all looks:

• The grid supplies only 300 kW.
• The diesel generator supplies the remaining 200 kW.
• The utility records only 300 kW of peak demand.
• Monthly electricity costs are significantly reduced due to stable energy usage and no peak consumption.

What Causes Peak Electricity Demands?

If you are wondering why the energy usage peaks at some time during the day, there can be various reasons.

These are:

Simultaneous Equipment Startup

A machine or a device can require two to four times more power during startup. Suppose your machine requires 10kW of power in the normal hours. During the startup, it might consume somewhere between 20 and 30kW.

It is pretty normal while the constant usage remains at 10kW. But the problem occurs when multiple pieces of equipment start at once.

Par exemple:

• Compresseurs d'air
• Conveyor systems
• Pompes
• Concasseurs
• HVAC chillers

If this equipment starts at once, the energy consumption peaks, causing demand charges and expensive electricity bills.

Production Scheduling

Most of the production occurs during the daytime when the workers are available. This strategy causes the running of multiple production lines simultaneously.

Suppose one production line consumes 100kW of energy. Four to five production lines will consume 500kW. It leads to higher electrical bills even when the consumption occurs at night, which doesn’t consume electricity.

Air Conditioning Loads

If the summer is around, most of the commercial facilities have multiple air conditioning units. Air conditioners consume a lot of energy.

When multiple air conditioners are used simultaneously, that causes a problem. There is a peak electricity consumption leading to higher demand charges.

Seasonal Demands

Seasonal demand is typical. It increases the overall production usage and causes expensive electricity bills.

The common seasons include:

• Summer cooling seasons
• Winter heating seasons
• Holiday production periods

During this period, there is a high demand and more expensive charges for the demand hours.

4 Common Strategies for Peak Shaving

Many people have a few different methods for peak shaving. Each method has its benefits and disadvantages. Some of them are pretty flexible.

Let’s discuss the common peak shaving methods.

Load Shifting

Load shifting is simple and one of the most effective strategies. If you operate four pieces of equipment simultaneously, why not operate one or two later on?

It reduces the peak energy usage and provides a more effective strategy. Such a load shifting strategy is flexible and applies to several industries if they can schedule their different tasks at other times.

Par exemple, you can postpone the use of this equipment in the off-peak hours.

• Water pumping
• Battery charging
• Ice production
• Industrial washing
• Material processing

Load Shedding

Don’t you want to shift the load? At least you can turn off your unnecessary devices.

During the peak hours, you should turn off all the devices that are not critically essential at that time. Par exemple:

• Decorative lighting
• Non-critical ventilation
• Auxiliary Équipement de production

This load-shedding strategy is also effective in reducing the peak demands to some extent.

Battery Energy Storage

If you don’t want to shed or shift the load, there is another solution available. It is in the form of batteries.

This is how it works.

• During off-peak hours, you can store the energy in the batteries.
• In peak hours, instead of using utility grids, you should use the batteries for the energy supply.

A battery Storage System with sufficient energy supply can offer seamless energy production and availability.

There are a few benefits of using the battery storage system.

• There are no risks of equipment damage as batteries provide instant and stable power.
• Energy consumption is much less from the utility grids.
• It offers a seamless and eco-friendly energy supply with no carbon emissions.

Diesel Generator Systems

Diesel Generators are a good addition for the replacement of peak hours. Instead of shifting loads, they can supply and run all equipment simultaneously with streamlined energy production.

There are a few benefits.

• Deliver high power output
• Start quickly
• Handle heavy industrial loads
• Operate independently of weather conditions
• Offer proven reliability

How Does a Diesel Generator Help with Peak Shaving?

A diesel generator helps with peak shaving by providing energy during the peak hours and reducing the overall demand.

Instead of relying on the power grid, you can have a seamless energy supply with a diesel generator in the following steps.

Étape 1: Demand Monitoring

Tout d'abord, you must understand the demands of your system. Suppose the normal demand is 700kW. It remains constant until you run multiple devices simultaneously.

Étape 2: Peak Limits

Peak Limits arrive when you run multiple machines at once. Suppose your system reaches a peak limit of 1000kW.

Étape 3: Generator Starts

Generators often have preset limits and start automatically when the demand peaks. If the demands exceed 700kW, they are exceeding the normal limits. It triggers the generator to start.

Étape 4: Rasage de pointe

When the generator starts, it checks and provides the energy. Suppose your peak limit reaches 900kW, the generator provides 200kW as additional power to reduce the overall demand to 700kW. In the case of 1000kW, it provides 300kW.

Étape 5: Arrêt du générateur

When does a generator shut down? It happens when your machinery’s peak consumption drops below 700kW preset limits.

Key Components of a Peak Shaving System

A peak shaving system is an automatic transfer of the energy from the utility grid to the generators. There are a few tools used in this system.

Générateur diesel

A diesel generator is one of the most crucial pieces of equipment used in the peak shaving system. It offers the excessive energy used to shave the peak hours and limits the grid utility energy consumption. It plays a central role in the whole system.

Commutateur de transfert automatique

An automatic transfer switch provides the power supply switching features. Whenever the power consumption exceeds the normal limits, it transfers the additional power to the generators. In case of consumption dropping below the threshold levels, it helps shut down the generators.

Generator Controller

If you are wondering how the generator turns on/off automatically, it is no wonder. Generator controllers are those tools that offer seamless functionality by monitoring:

• Grid demand
• Generator loading
• Tension
• Fréquence
• Consommation de carburant
• Heures d'ouverture

They work at preset thresholds and turn on the generator when the limit exceeds the threshold of 700kW in the above example.

Power Monitoring System

The power monitoring system measures the daily demands and tells us about the peak demands. That is when you can compare and decide on the threshold levels.

Stockage de carburant

Diesel is the fuel for the diesel generators and provides a seamless power supply system. As long as the fuel storage supply is sufficient, your generator keeps producing electricity.

Best Practices for Peak Shaving with Diesel Generators

Successful peak shaving for diesel generators is essential. We have added a few tips for peak shaving.

Analyze Electricity Bills

Have you recently experienced higher energy bills? You should learn and analyze the electricity bills of the past 12 mois.

Vérifier:

• Peak demand periods
• Demand charges
• Seasonal trends
• Monthly consumption patterns

This information helps monitor the bills closely for peak usage.

Generator Size Correctly

Getting oversized generators causes low efficiency, and undersized generators fail to meet the demands.

You should know the generator size correctly by looking at:

• Demande maximale
• Load growth
• Motor starting requirements
• Expansion future

Automate Generator Operations

Automatic generator operations help slash the peak hours and use the generator demands correctly. Generator controllers help in this process.

There are a few benefits:

• Efficacité énergétique
• Demand reduction
• Operational reliability

Perform Preventive Maintenance

Routine maintenance is pretty helpful to reduce the upcoming failures. You can treat all the issues before they snowball.

Keep a record of:

• Changements d'huile
• Remplacement du liquide de refroidissement
• Fuel system inspections
• Test de charge
• État de la batterie

Monitor Performance Continuously

Modern energy systems help monitor and optimize performance.

They check:

• Grid demand
• Sortie du générateur
• Consommation de carburant
• Generator efficiency
• Electricity savings

Battery Storage Vs. Diesel Generator for Peak Shaving

FAQ

• What are demand charges?

Demand charges are the electrical supply costs during the peak energy usage. Par exemple, if you use maximum energy for one hour every day, the prices for that one hour of electrical energy are the demand charges.

• Why are demand charges so expensive?

Demand charges are always imposed because they help utilities recover the electrical costs and infrastructure prices. They remain high due to peak energy usage and more burden on the system.

• Are diesel generators better than battery storage?

Techniquement, Oui. Diesel Generators offer long-standing performance, keep your system more stable, and provide cheaper energy costs. Battery storage has a higher upfront cost if you invest in a long-hours supply.

• Is peak shaving suitable for small businesses?

Oui. Peak Shaving helps small businesses reduce the energy consumption costs during the peak hours. Donc, electrical bills reduce exponentially.

• How do diesel generators reduce electricity bills?

Diesel Generators provide an electrical supply during the peak hours. It causes peak shaving and lowers the energy bills due to low electricity usage from the utility grid.

• Can the same generator be used for backup power and peak shaving?

Oui. Most facilities own the generators for both features. They use it during the power outage and run it for peak shaving purposes.

• Does peak shaving affect production?

Non. The interruption is less likely to occur in the production process when using the battery system or generators. Donc, the seamless production goes on.

• What industries benefit the most from peak shaving?

There are many facilities that harness the peak shavings. Par exemple, fabrication, exploitation minière, hôpitaux, centres de données, bâtiments commerciaux, food processing plants, water treatment facilities, and logistics centres.

• How often can a diesel generator be used for peak shaving?

Diesel Generators can be used whenever you want to. Cependant, with proper maintenance and fuel supply, they are available 24/7 for peak shaving purposes.

Conclusion

If you have experienced higher electricity charges, check if there has been increased electricity consumption. Notice peak hours and consider peak shaving for reduced electrical bills and optimized prices. Diesel Generators add value to the overall case only if you have purchased high-quality generators.

If you are looking for premium diesel generators with high efficiency and low operational costs, you are at the right place. Puissance Huaquan is already famous for its affordable diesel generators with high efficiency. Contact us to get your diesel generators right away!