Energy prices continue to rise noticeably. This also places a burden on medium-sized companies in the region. That is why Allgäu Batterie has developed a novel concept. Managing Director Manuel Diepolder explains in an interview with VMM Wirtschaftsverlag what exactly it is all about.

Mr. Diepolder, how does your new type of energy management system work?
Manufacturing trades, industrial companies with high peak loads or energy-intensive businesses use our battery storage systems to keep their grid charges as low as possible. The innovative EMS from the company Allgäu Batterie caps the load peaks and serves the energy demand from the battery storage. If a certain power threshold is exceeded, the battery storage system supplies the company with energy and thus keeps the power price low. Here, the EMS enables high flexibility in power consumption and avoidance of high-load time windows. This reduces the load on the utility’s network, which in turn is rewarded with a lower network charge.

How can peak loads be reduced?
The aim is to achieve an energy supply that is largely independent of the grid operator, reduce fluctuations in energy consumption and thus save costs. Above a certain value, the battery storage caps the load peaks and serves the energy demand that exceeds it with the stored energy. So as soon as a certain power threshold is exceeded, the battery storage system supplies the company with energy and thus keeps the power price low.

Why should modern companies rely on your energy management system?
The ever increasing complexity of the energy infrastructure in a company requires individual and customized solutions. Energy management systems are needed to keep costs stable or even reduce them in the long term. Especially when several functions such as peak load capping, self-consumption optimization or e-mobility have to be combined with an energy storage system to form a holistic concept. For this purpose, Allgäu Batterie offers its customers not only an energy management system, but an entire EMS platform including portal, cloud, remote maintenance or app solution. This system architecture is technologically based on the current and most modern IT standard and offers maximum flexibility.

Sounds good in theory – but what does it look like in practice? Is this investment worth it?
At Allgäu Batterie, we refer here to the “multi-use” solution approach, in which a battery storage system is not limited to a single application. Simultaneous multiple use generates synergies and significantly reduces the payback period of the investment. A combination of the various operation management strategies such as self-consumption optimization, peak shaving, time-of-use or charging of electric cars increases customer benefits and creates sustainable added value. Here is an example calculation: Assume a company has a peak load of 350kW and pays a peak load power price of 150€/kW. Here, the existing load peak could be capped by 100 kW to 250 kW, saving the company €15,000 per year (1). Through an additional self-consumption optimization of newer PV systems, which have exceeded the 20 year limit, the savings potential can be increased by an additional 10,000€ (2). In conclusion, a potential customer can save a total of €25,000 per year by using the storage unit in a multi-use application.

(1) ((350kW-250kW)150€/kW = 15.000€/a)
(*2) Assumed values: cost of electricity purchase: 25ct/kWh; feed-in tariff: 5ct/kWh; optimization of own consumption in kWh: 50,000kWh, savings potential: 25ct/kWh – 5ct/kWh = 20ct/kWh; 20ct/kWh * 50,000kWh = 10,000€/a

So with your new concept, you are in a way contributing to a revolution in energy management. What else will change in this regard in the future?
Electrification and digitization are taking on unimagined proportions and extending into all areas of the economy and society. These developments, which at first glance appear to be in opposition, can be brought together with a key element for the decentralization of the power system – battery storage systems. However, government expansion of grid infrastructure is still behind schedule, the volatility of renewable energy is affecting security of supply, and the number of charging points for electric cars is increasing only slowly.

So with your new concept, you are in a way contributing to a revolution in energy management. What else will change in this regard in the future?
Electrification and digitization are taking on unimagined proportions and extending into all areas of the economy and society. These developments, which at first glance appear to be in opposition, can be brought together with a key element for the decentralization of the power system – battery storage systems. However, government expansion of grid infrastructure is still behind schedule, the volatility of renewable energy is affecting security of supply, and the number of charging points for electric cars is increasing only slowly.

However, companies themselves are also an important player in the energy transition. Where does Allgäu Batterie actually get its energy from?
As a company, we attach great importance to sustainability. That’s why we get our energy from the regional supplier AÜW -Allgäuer Überlandwerk. As a member of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), we obtain 100 percent green electricity with the “Allgäu Profi Top” tariff. As an investment in the future, we already use part of the electricity through our own PV system, which is supported by an additional battery storage.