Flexible Local Energy Communities

If the companies in the Industry Park work together, it is possible to increase the total power capacity through the use of flexibility.

We call this Flexible Local Energy Communities (FlexLEC).

In a FlexLEC we use flexible assets to lower the total peak for the companies that have joined the FlexLEC.

The result is more power, and business, available.

Example of operation:

FlexLEC operates on the principal of energy sharing. When companies in an industrial park are unable to receive additional energy from the DSO due to grid constraints or outdated infrastructure, they can distribute energy among themselves.

For instance, if Company A requires extra power on Monday from 8 to 9 a.m., Companies B and C can reduce their consumption during that time in exchange for financial compensation. An analogical situation would occur if Company B or C need additional energy on another occasion.

Identify extra grid capacity from flexibility

The capacity limit in the grid is set by one hour in a year when the companies in the grid have the highest consumption. During the rest of the 8,759 hours in a year, only parts of the available capacity are used.

A duration curve identifies the flexibility potential of a Flexible Local Energy Community, and is used to identify potential flexibility.

DURATION CURVE

Benefits for the businesses

Don't wait 5-10 years for more power - get flexibility

Replace fossil energy with clean power

More power available by flexibility can be used to replace fossil fuels, contributing to a greener future.

Environmental accounting is becoming gradually more important for all stakeholders in the business processes. A move towards green energy is beneficial for both the business and the environment.

New companies in the industrial park

Grid bottlenecks prevent new businesses from moving into the park.

This can not only reduce the income for the industrial park, but also negatively impact the local community, depriving it from new workplaces and tax income.

Expansion of the business

Businesses in a power grid area with bottlenecks are not able to get more power available before the grid company expands the existing grid. This can take 5-10 years, or even more.

Flexibility enables more power now, which can be used to expand the business and increase its profit.

Being in control of flex assets

By creating a Flexible Local Energy Community the industry in the park has full control over the usage of flexibility, and the way each company can benefit from flexible assets even without the need for flexibility. For example, a battery can be charged when the power prices are low, and be discharged when the prices are higher.