Barry Sherry
CEO, ACEL Energy
The continuous rise in demand on the grid is increasing costs and limiting maximum import capacity. One energy company in Ireland is urging businesses to become self-sufficient.
As Ireland aims to generate 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, rising demand on the grid (driven by the electrification of heat, transport and new businesses) is increasing the need for smart meters and time-of-use tariffs to manage energy consumption and generation efficiently.
Meanwhile, rising energy costs continue in support of infrastructure upgrades and reinforcements. This raises the question for businesses to co-locate renewable generation such as solar and storage to increase self-sufficiency and manage electricity costs.
Business energy trends
Barry Sherry, CEO of ACEL Energy, discusses how energy use is changing and how this might affect businesses. “As demand on the grid continues to grow, smart meters will result in multiple tariffs across the day,” he says. For example, in the morning or evening peak, users will be charged more for importing electricity. Conversely, greater levels of renewables might be generated when the demand is low, and business owners could charge their batteries with excess solar or use cheaper tariffs.
Maximum import capacity
Businesses are limited by their pre-determined maximum import capacity. Many are struggling to secure the additional capacity needed to support expansion or electrification due to grid constraints, lengthy approval times and expense.
“Businesses can’t generate more power than their pre-determined maximum import capacity. They are unable to secure additional capacity to serve their power requirements ,” Sherry says. “Businesses are becoming more self-aware, recognising that they need to manage their energy more efficiently.”
By putting solar on site and co-locating
it with battery storage, businesses
can increase self-sufficiency.
Reducing reliance on the grid
Investing in renewable energy solutions will not only reduce energy costs but also future-proof organisations against fluctuating electricity prices. “By putting solar on site and co-locating it with battery storage, businesses can increase self-sufficiency. The battery allows businesses to store excess solar and allows them to import electricity to charge the battery at lower tariff rates,” explains Sherry. “Medium to large organisations are starting to take control of their assets this way, making them as self-sustainable as possible. The grid becomes their backup.”
Co-ownership funding model
ACEL Energy leverages its expertise to provide businesses with innovative energy solutions. Through a co-ownership funding model, clients share ownership of assets with ACEL Energy without any upfront capital. As a funding partner, they design, install, operate and maintain the asset; the business only pays for the energy that is generated and stored. This proactively aids businesses transitioning to renewable energy and has already supported several successful transitions.
For more information acelenergy.ie/
