Utility Scale Battery Storage

An energy management system (EMS) is comprised of a collection of software and hardware tools that efficiently allocate energy transfers among interconnected distributed energy resources (DERs). Organizations utilize these systems to enhance the efficiency of electricity generation, storage, and/or consumption, resulting in reduced costs, emissions, and enhanced stability of the power grid.

An Energy Management System (EMS) provides users with a variety of advantages, with one of the primary benefits being significant reductions in energy expenses. For instance, in a residential setting, individuals have the ability to charge their electric vehicles and batteries during periods of high photovoltaic generation or when electricity prices are minimal, resulting in substantial savings. Additionally, they have the ability to minimize electricity usage during periods of expensive spikes in consumption, leading to substantial cost savings on power bills.

Numerous businesses acquire software mistakenly believing it to be an energy management system; however, this is not the case. The primary objective should be energy conservation, a concept that often tends to slip one's mind. While checklists, processes, auditing, and software are crucial components, their ultimate purpose within an EMS is to achieve energy savings. Ultimately, the success of an EMS predominantly relies on effective people management.

An energy management system (EMS) is a structure designed for energy users, such as industrial, commercial, and public sector establishments, to regulate and control their energy consumption. It assists organizations in identifying prospects for embracing and enhancing energy-efficient technologies, even ones that may not entail significant financial investment. Specialized knowledge and training of personnel are typically necessary for the successful implementation of an EMS in the majority of instances.

With the aid of real-time visualization of energy data, they are able to promptly identify alerts and continually optimize consumption, resulting in improved speed and efficiency.

The EMS system arranges this data in a manner that allows for easy visualization of energy usage according to specific locations such as plants, warehouses, offices, or stores. Consequently, tracking changes over time and generating regular reports for all stakeholders becomes a straightforward task.

Until the early 1990s, it was customary for EMS systems to be provided with proprietary hardware and operating systems. During that time, companies like Harris Controls (now GE), Hitachi, Cebyc, Control Data Corporation, Siemens, and Toshiba produced their own distinct hardware platforms. EMS providers who did not produce their own hardware frequently depended on products designed by Digital Equipment, Gould Electronics, and MODCOMP. One particular favored option among certain EMS suppliers was the VAX 11/780 manufactured by Digital Equipment. In the present, EMS systems depend on a model-based approach. Previously, traditional planning models and EMS models were maintained as separate entities and rarely aligned with each other. The utilization of EMS software enables planners and operators to utilize a shared model, thereby minimizing discrepancies between the two parties and reducing model maintenance efforts by 50%. Additionally, the presence of a unified user interface facilitates seamless information transfer from planning to operations.

The energy management system takes into account current data, such as the output of solar panels on the roof, the condition of the battery, and the amount of electricity being consumed. It also considers external information, like the cost of electricity at a given moment or weather predictions. This allows the EMS to make informed choices about when to charge or discharge the battery, when to utilize locally-generated solar power or draw from the grid, and how to continuously enhance energy management strategies in line with the three D's of the modern energy age - digitization, decarbonization, and decentralization.

FlexGen's Energy Management System (EMS) software gathers energy data, conducts a comparison of these metrics across different locations, and assesses their effectiveness in relation to industry benchmarks. The software is capable of connecting to the gas and electricity markets, enabling it to procure daily pricing information from key energy indices. Additionally, it aids in budget oversight and the ability to forecast energy expenses.