Smart energy load management & optimization systems for hotels and commercial buildings

Benefits of peak shaving:

-Reduce power peaks and related costs up to 40% (kW)

-Reduce power costs on consumption up to 7% (kWh)

-Savings in the infrastructure (transformer/cable/inserted fuse)

-Avoidance of cost intensive power upgrading (transformer, cables)

-Alignment with renewable energy generators

-Additional resources for further electrification (e-vehicle chargers)

General introduction to power peaks:

Basically, the issue of power peaks is about electricity, energy costs and thus the operating costs. Due to increasing electrification demands the purchase of electricity is an increasing cost factor within the hospitality industry and often underestimated in its amount and savings potential. The most common factors that influences the energy costs are the active energy consumption in kWh, the reactive energy consumption in kVARh and the peak demand in kW. The peak demand in kW is measured by the utility within a time window of 15 or 30 minutes. The highest so determined peak load of the month is then invoiced to the customer. But in the case of a limited infrastructure, peaks are even worse as they do not only lead to high costs, but might lead to an electrical shut down initiated by the fuse. Therefore, demand is a major concern in addressing the commercial or industrial buildings energy saving strategy. In some countries the electricity peak demand consumption in commercial buildings is about 30% the total consumption on average. The charges for the peak demand can be about 200 times that of the normal power consumption. On top of this, there is a penalty further if the consumption is over the agreed peak demand usage. An approach to control and manage the peak demand is presented and the results on the peak savings include the financial implications.

Origin of power peaks:

Power peaks are caused by simultaneous operation of electrical equipment. The use of electrical equipment is usually directly linked to certain applications that are driven by infrastructural needs or human and automatized processes within a building. In order to optimize you need to understand the processes and main power consumers in your building. In addition you have to understand the flexibility of the different devices and the priority when it comes to limitations.

What can be optimized?

Basically, all electrical devices with a certain inertia (heating or cooling volume) can be included, such as cooking equipment in the kitchen or saunas in the SPA area. Even devices that do not have large inertia can be optionally included due to the complex control strategy and specific method.

Key areas for peak optimization in hotels:

-Chillers and cooling systems

-Heat pumps

-Kitchens (starting point, as the main source for power peaks)

-SPA areas (Sauna etc.)

-Electric vehicle charging (cars, bicycles, etc.)

-HVAC

-Washing & Drying