The reliability of power grids is crucial for industries that depend on a steady energy supply to maintain operations. Power outages, voltage fluctuations, and the inability to cope with peak demand periods can have significant economic and operational repercussions. These issues not only lead to increased operational costs but also impact the sustainability and efficiency of industrial processes.
In an era where the stability of power grids is increasingly challenged by fluctuating demand and the integration of renewable energy sources, Siemens Digital Industries aims to improve energy efficiency and reliability in industrial operations with their Smart Power Management utilizing Skeleton’s supercapacitors. Integrating high-power, fast-charging energy storage directly into industrial machinery helps mitigate the impacts of erratic power supply on equipment, while also opening opportunities for energy saving and reducing Total Cost of Ownership.
Supercapacitors, known for their rapid energy absorption and release, along with extended cycle life, are well-suited for industrial applications. In Siemens’ Smart Power Management platform, our supercapacitors serve multiple functions:
- Peak Load Compensation: Supercapacitors excel in rapidly absorbing and discharging energy, functioning as quick energy buffers. This reduces the negative impact of high power peaks on surrounding infrastructure and enables industrial equipment to surpass power limitations posed by the local utility.
- Braking Energy Recovery: Supercapacitor technology enables the capture and reuse of braking energy in industrial machinery, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing waste. Braking energy is generated in various processes where moving devices must decelerate, such as a spinning calendaring machine, a robotic arm rapidly shifting between positions, or weights being lifted and lowered. Traditionally, this kinetic energy is dissipated into heat with resistors, but storing it locally for future use presents a more sustainable option.
- Guaranteed Uninterrupted Operation: In instances of power disruptions, supercapacitors provide a critical energy reserve, ensuring machines continue to operate seamlessly, thereby minimizing downtime and associated costs. This can either allow for complete ride-through of short power losses or enable safety shut-down procedures requiring some seconds before power cut-off.
Siemens Digital Industries has taken an impressive step forward in making the energy-heavy sector of industry more sustainable and efficient. By integrating high-power energy storage with supercapacitors—optimal for capturing kinetic energy, managing short-term power fluctuations, and meeting peak load demands—into their innovative Smart Management Platform, they can optimize energy usage and ensure the continuous operation of industrial equipment.
