Energy management for discounter
Many companies would like a green energy strategy. Self-generated electricity with photovoltaics can be a building block for this. It is also well suited to reconcile environmental and cost aspects. For supermarkets in Germany, the daily course of solar power also matches the course of business – except on Sundays. EnBW is developing a solution for this with a large discount store: with a special energy management system that calculates daily in its stores whether it is more profitable to consume the self-generated electricity or to market it on the electricity exchange after a time delay – made possible by temporary “parking” in a battery.
Use, store, or market self-generated electricity
In the project, EnBW is cooperating with a discount store that already consumes 80% of its photovoltaic electricity itself. Ten selected stores were equipped with measurement technology. In three of these, EnBW installed additional battery storage units. On the basis of the data collected, the interplay between internal consumption, the direct marketing of electricity, and storage use is to be optimised.
Energy management assesses whether it is more profitable for the client to consume solar power directly, store it, or sell it on the energy market. The calculation algorithm includes consumption forecasts, weather forecasts, and price forecasts of the electricity exchange. The development of the energy management system is challenging because the objectives pursued compete with each other: The consequence of high internal consumption is that small amounts of energy are left over for marketing. If several locations in a virtual power plant are controlled, the stored energy can generate more revenue. With the help of a holistic visualisation, the client retains an overview of the individual locations as well as the regionally bundled branches
Milestones
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2015
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Project start: Selection of locations
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2016
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Clarification of requirements for the mains connection of the batteries
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2017
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Equipping the branches with measuring technology and storage; pilot operation
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At a glance
Name: Optimised energy management in supermarket branches
Status: Demonstration operation
Objective: Energy management in ten stores with PV systems – three of which are with battery storage and improved direct marketing
Comments on the project
Green energy strategies don’t have to be a subsidised business – they can become even more attractive if we use energy data intelligently. We help our clients make the most of the electricity they generate themselves.“