Smart Use of Lithium-Ion-Based Static UPS System: Impact of Storage Capacity and Utility Tariff on the Total Cost of Ownership

Abstract

A challenge for industries nowadaysis to enhance the functionality of their critical processes. Based on their design specifications and accuracies expected, these processes often tend to have a low tolerance to power disturbances. They require a high integrity power supply to guarantee their correct functioning, increase their robustness against the damaging effect of these disturbances. Network instability, lower energy availability, and poor power quality cannot guarantee this integrity of supply. The old coal-fired power stations have reached the end of their lives, and their reliability has decayed. The country now faces a major electricity crisis, which is why many industries are looking for systems that reduce their reliance on the national grid. The concept of critical power is going through a period of rapid changes. Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are required to increase their availability and manageability of power. Facilities are, therefore, called to revisit their concept of critical power and develop new supply methodologies. There is now a strong need to bring up innovative ways that dispatch the battery stored energy differently. Facilities must continually evaluate their time of energy use in relation to their tariff structures for better energy management and costs control. Time-of-use tariffs are structured to reward consumer who lowers their consumption during peak periods. The paper will present a comprehensive assessment that offers a site-specific solution to strengthen energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint [24]. It will evaluate the financial impact that tariff structures and various modelled energy dispatch have on the facility energy budget.