We answer all your questions. Find out how you can benefit from our energy management solutions and smart software.
Business and Industry
Business & Industry
With an energy management system, you get grid independence, lower electricity costs and protection against grid instability (e.g., blackouts, flickers). If there is a photovoltaic system, it will be supplemented, storing the energy that is generated during the day to use it at night or during the period of maximum demand, when prices are higher.
What is the interconnection process?
To this day, energy management systems do not require interconnection permits or procedures with the electricity supplier. Since the systems are connected behind the meter (BTM), there is no interaction with the general distribution network. This allows a quick connection and instant generation of savings.
What are peak hours?
The supply and demand of electricity varies during the year, day, and hour. The greater the demand for power from the grid, the higher the peak power requirements that the utility company must maintain to support the primary and rotating standby generation facilities. As you might guess, this gets expensive, so generally an owner will pay more for the energy used during Peak periods than during periods with less activity. Most commercial and industrial consumers have a 24-hour demand charge (Distribution) and also a Peak demand charge (Capacity) that is generally higher. The Peak periods in the national electricity system change depending on the region. For GDMTH clients in the SIN, the peak hours during the summer period are Monday to Friday, 8 to 10 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. during the winter.
What is a peak power plant?
Utility companies size their generation to satisfy average demand. A peak power plant is an excess capacity power generation plant that can be started and stopped to meet the peak power requirements of the grid (during Peak hours). As you might guess (again), this gets expensive and polluting. Reducing peak plant requirements is a great first step towards reducing our collective carbon footprint.
What is peak shaving and how does it fit into energy storage?
During times of increased demand of electricity, such as when air conditioners are turned up on hot days, customers are charged additional fees by the electricity generating company as they have to increase electricity production to meet demand and this is very costly. Electricity prices are broken down into hourly rates, Base, Intermediate and Peak. This means that depending on the moment when the energy is consumed, the price changes. In the same way there are specific charges (Capacity) that are link only to WHEN a user consumes electricity. These charges occur during Peak hours for industrial and commercial customers at GDMTH, DIST and DIT rates.
Since energy storage allows customers to decide when to buy and when to use energy, they can modify their consumption curve, consume less during Peak hours, and reduce the amount of the bill. Naturally, customers buy electricity at off-peak prices for use during Peak times. For commercial and industrial customers, these savings can be significant (40% of the electricity bill).
Why should I choose Quartux over other energy management solutions?
When you work with Quartux, you choose state-of-the-art technology, but more importantly, a company with local experience that adjusts to any external change or internal need. Quartux energy management systems not only have state-of-the-art technology, they are controlled by their own software, developed specifically for the Mexican electricity sector. These systems are best suited for current and future energy needs by providing peak switching, load shedding, backup, and islanding capabilities with the ability to connect to the grid for both energy and power. Quartux customers own their system, keep all the discounts, incentives and savings for life while remaining part of a national network. We support licensed contractors and solar installers with reference installation diagrams and all the materials necessary for incentive, permit, and interconnection programs This guarantees fast and safe installation and commissioning of our systems so that customers enjoy the benefits of lower electricity bills right away.
Can I use a Quartux energy management system without a renewable energy system?
Yes. The energy management system can be charged at the time of the lowest electricity rates and fed back to the plant’s main service panel during Peak periods. In this scenario, the customer cannot take advantage of accelerated depreciation but can save up to 40% on his electricity bill.
How and where is a Quartux energy management system installed?
Systems can be installed indoors or outdoors. At Quartux we offer a “turnkey” solution, so the design, installation, and commissioning are carried out by us.
Can I get a Quartux energy management system financed?
Yes. There are multiple options to have your Quartux energy management system financed. Check out some of the approved financing programs for a Quartux energy management system and ask your local consultant what options can be provided.
How does the control software affect battery life or warranty?
The controls affect how a battery is used. The useful application of the battery has a direct impact on the useful life in the system. To generate the highest possible profitability in battery systems, out control software imposes state of charge (SOC) limits that are on the verge of accelerated degradation
The economics of an application have a direct impact on the controls, since the controls respond to prices and schedules. Spending time at high or low SOC limits, operating at high power, or running a system under hot conditions can accelerate its degradation.
Will a Quartux energy management system reduce my carbon footprint?
Yes, by storing solar energy and using it at night, you are offsetting what is in most cases electricity generated by fossil fuels. Check out this calculator from the US Environmental Protection Agency
Even if the storage system is not used with a solar energy generation system, you will be supporting the environment by not consuming energy generated by peak power plants that are polluting and expensive.
How long will a Quartux energy management system last?
The system is designed for a useful life of 15 years and a 10-year warranty is available. At the end of the useful life of the battery cells, we can replace the battery modules at a fraction of the current cost of lithium ions without removing the cabinet, inverter and conduit. The system is designed for ease of service or upgrade through a rack-mounted cabinet. The customer must maintain guaranteed performance monitoring.
Energy transition
Why is energy storage important?
Energy storage fundamentally improves the way in which we generate, deliver and consume electricity. Energy storage helps during emergencies such as storm power outages, equipment failure, or accidents. Today, the innovative nature of energy storage is its ability to balance energy supply and demand instantly, in milliseconds, making energy networks resilient, efficient, and cleaner than ever.
Why do we need energy storage?
The main benefits are:
Risk of power outages: the current electrical grid is increasingly vulnerable to threats from nature, terrorists, and accidents. Millions of Mexican families and businesses are victims of (both sustained and monetary) cuts each year. Power outages cost up to USD $200 billion annually, while hitting the commercial and industrial sectors that create jobs the hardest.
Clean energy integration and energy independence: energy storage supports the integration of renewable energy generation. Energy storage can also help reduce emissions as it removes more of the load from fossil fuel generation. The generation of energy by the peak power plants is one of the most expensive and polluting aspects of the network, so making renewable generation able to provide energy during these periods will help reduce emissions and avoid costly new installations, contributing significantly to our environmental priorities.
How will energy storage reduce energy costs?
Energy storage can lead to cost savings in two main ways. The first one is by reducing the overall cost of providing electricity. The second one is to allow customers to avoid premium prices (or "peak demand "). Industry experts call this saving money on "both sides of the electric meter."
Is energy storage clean?
Yes. Energy storage has no direct emissions. It does not require plumbing. Its systems usually require a minimal footprint. In the same way, energy storage will help reduce emissions, since it removes more load from traditional generation or allows it to operate more efficiently.
Can energy storage technology work with all fuel sources? How?
Yes. Energy storage systems are "neutral fuels." Whether electricity is generated from oil, gas, carbon, nuclear, wind, solar, or geothermal energy, or from other sources, energy storage captures excess electricity at high efficiencies for optimal use during outages, peak hours or when the effective management of the network is a challenge.
How is grid-scale energy storage useful?
Energy storage is necessary on an industrial or grid scale for three main reasons. The first is to "balance the load", shifting power consumption toward the future, often by several hours, so that the existing generating capacity is used more efficiently. The second reason is to "bypass" power; in other words, to ensure that there is no interruption in service for the seconds to minutes required to switch from one power generation source to another. Finally, managing power quality, controlling voltage and frequency to avoid damaging sensitive equipment is a growing concern that storage can alleviate when needed, for a few seconds or less, many times a day.
Is the energy storage technology safe?
Yes. Energy storage has been a part of the US electrical grid since the 1930s. In fact, energy storage represents approximately 2% of the generation capacity of the US and has a safety record that is similar to or better than other methods to generate, distribute, or manage electricity.
How big is the energy storage/ management market?
Energy storage/management systems account for about 2% of the generating capacity of the US. This percentage is growing significantly, especially with the arrival of more renewable energy. Pumped hydropower has played an important part of our electrical grid since the 1930s. Today, however, electricity from wind or solar power, and from other "intermittent" sources has created urgent needs for additional energy storage.
According to Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables, the US market deployed 310,5 MW in 2018, a 44% increase from 2017 as costs fell and capacities continued to improve. They project that annual deployments in 2024 will reach 4.4 GW, and a market of $ 4.7 billion.