Renewables Firming
Challenge: Firm supply and achieve a certifiable renewable energy production goal.
Renewable assets augment primary energy base load sources, which consist of fossil fuel-fired generation and backup. During low demand periods, the combined base load source and wind energy production exceeds demand.
Because it can take many hours to ramp up fossil fuel-fired generation, the energy provider cannot curtail the primary generation source during periods of low demand. Consequently the provider curtails renewable production instead (wind at night, solar during the day) and supplements with fossil fueled backup.
Wind and solar energy production is naturally variable, and meeting a provider's renewables production goal could well require the majority of all renewable generation be stored to firm supply.
Demand Energy Solution: Store wind and solar power during hours of peak production regardless of demand, and discharge to supplement traditional generation when renewable output reduces during expected generation time.
The Demand Shifter charges when wind or solar generation is peaking but demand is low, then discharges the stored energy back into the grid to supplement traditional generation, or when renewable capacity is low because of time of day or atmospheric conditions are not optimal, (clouds, calm, rain, etc.) but demand is high.
Because the energy stored in the Demand Shifter was produced exclusively from renewable sources, the discharged energy from the device qualifies as a renewable resource, and helps the energy provider meet Renewable Portfolio Standards goals.
Value: Supports Renewable Resources Objectives and eliminates the need for fast ramping Thermal Peaking Plans for firming generation support.
Wind Time Shift Application Illustration:
Wind turbines are installed and connected to the grid. Distributed Demand Shifters create a dispatchable load for available wind generation.