pwr_march-2024 - 18

C&I POWER SYSTEMS
developments. Centralized systems
ensure reliable and uninterrupted energy
supply, minimizing downtime and
disruptions for businesses. District energy
can efficiently serve the diverse
energy needs of large campuses, including
heating, cooling, and hot water,
providing flexibility in meeting the
Maltezos told POWER, " Technologies
used for commercial and industrial power
systems today range from efficiencyrelated
upgrades such as HVAC, lighting,
building envelope, and controls to more
complex systems such as distributed
energy generation through renewables
integrated with battery energy storage
" Interestingly enough, in response to the
complex new technologies driving the surge
in reliability requirements, some users
achieved increased reliability by reducing
the complexity of their power systems. "
-Kyle Julian, a regional director for C&I Sales at S&C Electric
specific requirements of academic and
research facilities. "
Technology upgrades also " allow for
the integration of renewable energy
sources, contributing to the sustainability
goals of universities and life science
campuses, " said Hegerty.
" District
energy systems offer consistent and
reliable heating and cooling services
to hospitality facilities, ensuring guest
comfort and satisfaction. The centralized
nature of district energy contributes
to energy efficiency, aligning with
sustainability goals often emphasized in
the hospitality industry. "
Hegerty also noted that these systems
support critical loads, such as at
government installations, and said that
" shared infrastructure can lead to cost
savings for government entities compared
to individualized energy systems.
District energy [also] is well-suited for
the high energy demands of arenas, efficiently
providing heating and cooling to
accommodate large crowds. "
" Only 20 years ago, large mediumvoltage
C&I-owned systems were found
primarily on major campuses like universities,
airports, and military bases, " said
Julian. " Since then, significant technological
and computing advancements
have greatly expanded the segments of
major C&I power system owners. The
massive power densities required to
support semiconductor chip manufacturing
and data centers have led the way,
followed by privately owned alternative
energy plants. Electric vehicle charging
stations for commercial fleets and
private vehicles represent another segment
with massive power needs. "
18
systems and microgrid controls. "
Julian said, though, there are times
when simplicity could work better than
complexity. " Interestingly enough, in response
to the complex new technologies
driving the surge in reliability requirements,
some users achieved increased
reliability by reducing the complexity of
their power systems. Instead of adding
more sensors and gadgets to conventional
low-voltage equipment in radial
systems, some users have moved up to
medium voltage and invested in proven
technologies arranged in simple power
distribution loops. This allows backup
power feeds to proliferate down to the
entire facility or campus, " said Julian.
Energy Storage and Software
Controls
The addition of energy storage to C&I power
systems is allowing for more flexibility
and scalability, and is expected to become
more prevalent as installations evolve.
" Traditionally, we used to see mostly
gas-fired generators. Now we're seeing
more software options, hydrogen fuel
cells, and increasingly, battery storage, "
said John Masucci, business development
manager at Peak Power, a company
focused on energy solutions for
the C&I sector. " One technology we're
seeing more and more is battery energy
storage systems [BESS] that are controlled
through software. There are a lot
of advantages to BESS. When facilities
want to curtail their energy use without
battery storage, they're looking at ramping
down machinery, lighting, HVAC, or
other functions. This affects production
goals and occupant comfort. With a batwww.powermag.com
tery,
they can curtail without touching
any of these. Particularly in the case of
manufacturing sites, even a millisecond
of power interruption can be catastrophic.
With battery energy storage, there's
no blip. "
Masucci told POWER, " Most BESS
customers have a third-party controlling
the batteries offsite. These operators
use software to manage the
battery discharge and charge from a
centralized location. They don't need a
dedicated person to manage the curtailment
at the site. It all happens behind
the scenes. There's no disruption
to the day-to-day. All they see is savings
on their bill. "
The future growth of new C&I systems,
and the technologies to support
upgrades, could depend on government
incentives that could mitigate financial
risk as business operators look at their
energy costs. Said Brenmiller: " The
industrial sector is very conservative
when it comes to adopting new technologies.
Upfront investment incentives
and operational incentives are key drivers
to catalyze industrial players to invest
in decarbonizing their businesses.
A great example of how the government
can do this is Germany; the country's
program to create climate protection
contracts [CPCs] will make $53 billion
available to the [German] industrial sector
over the next 15 years. The program,
which aims to counter attractive U.S.
subsidies and prevent offshoring, is
distinct from other climate-related funding
vehicles in that it offers companies
upfront the difference in energy transition-related
operating expenses needed
over 15 years. This is an important signal
for businesses and gives them the
investment security they need to shift
to carbon-neutral operations. "
Krishnamoorthy told POWER, " Beyond
decarbonization, governments can
support C&I power systems by incentivizing
research and development in
clean energy technologies and improving
system efficiencies, providing grants or
subsidies for adopting sustainable energy
solutions, and facilitating regulatory
frameworks that promote grid modernization
and renewable energy integration.
Encouraging innovation, fostering
partnerships
between
industries
and
research institutions, and investing in infrastructure
for widespread adoption of
C&I solutions are crucial aspects governments
can focus on. " ■
-Darrell Proctor is a senior associate
editor for POWER.
POWER | March 2024
http://www.powermag.com
pwr_march-2024

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