Demand-Side Management

Industrial companies can use load management to increase the share of renewable energy sources in their long-term energy consumption. When electricity prices are low, the supply of renewable energy is usually high. If industrial companies increase their production during these times, they not only save money but also improve their greenhouse gas balance. Conversely, this helps to reduce production in times of scarce power supply and high prices. This helps companies to rely less on fossil-based grid electricity. Appropriate regulatory and economic conditions are important to exploit flexibility potential. 

Some production processes have to be continuously operated, therefore they cannot be restricted or increased as part of load management. A pre-emptive potential analysis would therefore determine which processes and plants can be flexibly utilised. This flexibilisation can also be supplemented by dynamic energy source changes, for example using gas instead of electricity. The key is that production is ensured at all times despite load management. 

The following are examples of processes suitable for demand-side management and making production more flexible:

• Cooling supply
• Air separation
• Energy-flexible machine scheduling
• Charging processes for electric vehicles
• Electrolysis plant for aluminium production
• Electrolysis plant for hydrogen production

Small businesses and homes can also use demand-side management to reduce costs, avoid greenhouse gas emissions and increase grid stability. Of course, small businesses and households use less energy than industrial companies. Therefore, expenditure for flexibilisation is comparatively high. However, load management is also worthwhile on a smaller scale, especially for individual systems or devices with relatively high energy consumption. Examples include electric vehicle charging stations and heat pumps. It makes sense to charge an electric car when electricity prices are low or electricity can be drawn from private photovoltaic systems.