What are Smart Energy solutions and how do they work?
Thomas Stammeier: “The term Smart Energy Solutions refers to a new solution approach in which we combine IoT data on the status of machines and systems with energy data, i.e., values for the generation and consumption of a plant, for the first time. We also incorporate external data sources e.g., forecasts on weather, solar yields and electricity prices. All of this data is then combined in an intelligent planning algorithm to enable companies to plan for a specific time horizon in a cost-optimized way – and also in a way that optimizes emissions in the long term.”
What can companies use Smart Energy solutions for?
Thomas Stammeier: “Companies can optimize several things with the help of Smart Energy Solutions: For a start, building and infrastructure control – this includes, for example, improved use of self-generated solar or PV power and optimal utilization of battery storage. Which, by the way, can also help to avoid peak loads.
Secondly, the issue of cost. Those who do not purchase a fixed electricity quota and are not bound by a fixed price can save a lot of money. Currently, energy prices can fluctuate by up to 100% in a single day. Electricity should therefore be purchased at the particularly favorable time and used to replenish stored electricity – in an automated manner.
Thirdly, in perspective, it is about the entire planning of production processes. Energy-intensive production should only be ramped up when energy is cheap – and ideally also automatically. The prerequisite, however, is that a company is positioned to be energy-flexible.
