Energy flexibility and energy storage
In a true systemic approach of energy flexibility and energy storage, Orygeen can define strategies, accompany companies in the implementation and integration of the chosen solutions, all while taking into account all the subjects of the company’s energy performance.
The electricity network operates on the basis of a constant balance between supply and demand on a European scale.
This balance implies managing variations in consumption by adjusting production. But the opposite can also be true: the company adapts its consumption to the available production. This is energy flexibility. In return for payment, companies participate in balancing by reducing their consumption or injecting electricity into the network at certain times, generally for limited periods.
The shorter the period of reactivity, the higher the remuneration, since the interruptibility of electricity consumption corresponds to extreme reactivity (3 seconds).
CAPACITY MARKET AND REMUNERATION FOR DEMAND FLEXIBILITY
France has created a capacity market that remunerates companies and consumers able to produce energy for injection into the grid, and companies able to reduce or stop their consumption at a given moment.
Elsewhere in Europe, it is generally the network operators who manage energy flexibility via bilateral contracts.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND FLEXIBILITY
On the producer side, the balance of the electricity network requires the permanent adaptation of energy production capacities to meet consumption peaks or production shortages. The start-up (or shutdown) of generation assets is controlled by several energy purchase/sale markets (Day Ahead, Intraday, capacity reserve, etc.).
In terms of flexibility, some energy sources are more agile than others: a nuclear power plant takes a long time to start up or shut down, while a hydroelectric dam, a cogeneration plant or a generator on an industrial site allow for a high level of reactivity.
Thus, decentralised electricity production capacities on an industrial site (or even a tertiary site) can be valued on the markets and contribute to the balance of the network.
HOW TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF ENERGY FLEXIBILITY ?
For industrial sites, logistics platforms or large tertiary companies, energy flexibility allows them to benefit from a net remuneration or to take advantage of purchasing opportunities while respecting their production or service commitments.
Untapped, underused or unused energy production or load shedding capacities are therefore interesting levers to explore.
To improve energy efficiency, Orygeen will :
1.
Detect the potential for production or offloading
2.
Define valorisation solutions and exploitation procedures
3.
Negotiate adapted valorisation contracts
4.
Choose a steering tool
5.
Implement selected solutions
6.
Third-party financing of inherent investments
Energy storage: new opportunities for energy flexibility
The continuous improvement of energy storage technologies as well as the massification of battery production are now opening up new opportunities for energy flexibility.
In addition, the emergence of a market for “second life” batteries from electric vehicles and future innovations in storage technologies will accelerate the decline in costs.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the cost of energy storage is currently divided by 2 every 2 years.
Energy storage has three advantages :
- protection against power cuts,
- maximum use of intermittent energy production (via photovoltaic or wind power) by acting as a regulatory buffer between production and consumption,
- participation in the balance of the electricity network in return for payment.
In matters of energy storage, Orygeen intervenes in order to :
1.
Define the best adapted technology
2.
Quantify and qualify the investments
3.
Instal the solution and associated management systems
4.
Third-party financing of the entire operation
