BAFA funding for EMS and battery storage: How energy management improves cost-effectiveness

The BAFA grant scheme for energy management systems (EMS) currently offers an additional incentive. Under certain conditions, companies can receive funding for investments in EMS and associated measurement, control and regulation technology. Depending on the size of the company, funding rates of up to 45 per cent of the eligible investment costs are possible.

This brings one question more sharply into focus: how can storage systems, PV installations, consumers and charging infrastructure be interconnected in such a way that the available energy is utilised as economically as possible?

An energy management system provides the foundation for this. It records energy flows on site, analyses consumption and generation, and controls the connected components according to specific requirements. Particularly when combined with a battery storage system, this opens up various opportunities to reduce energy costs and make targeted use of existing flexibility.

Many companies have gradually expanded their energy infrastructure in recent years. Initially, for example, a photovoltaic system was installed; later, charging points were added; and finally, the idea of using a battery storage system was considered.

However, with each additional component, the demands placed on the control of the overall system also increase. The PV system generates varying amounts of electricity depending on the time of day and the weather. At the same time, consumption patterns during operation fluctuate. Machinery runs at specific times, vehicles are charged, and short-term spikes in power demand can cause load peaks.

A battery storage system can provide additional flexibility in such situations. Surplus energy can be temporarily stored and reused later. The key to cost-effective use is timing it right.

A storage system that is charged or discharged at the wrong time can only make limited use of its potential. That is why a cost-effective storage concept begins with the question of what the actual energy flows at the site look like.

This is precisely where the energy management system comes into play.

The EMS collates information on consumption, generation, storage status, charging infrastructure and grid consumption. This reveals when energy is required, when surpluses are available and what loads arise at the site. Based on this data, the control system can then be aligned with the company’s business objectives.

The most appropriate operating strategy always depends on the specific site. A company with a large PV system has different requirements to a manufacturing plant with high power peaks or a site with extensive charging infrastructure.

An energy management system takes these differences into account and controls the battery storage system accordingly.

If, for example, more PV electricity is available at midday than the company currently needs, the surplus energy can be stored in the battery. If consumption rises again later, the stored energy is available for the company’s own operations. This can increase the proportion of PV electricity used directly and reduce grid consumption.

A battery storage system can also play an important role during peak loads. If high power demands occur briefly during operations, the EMS can deploy the storage system in a targeted manner to provide part of the required energy. This so-called ‘peak shaving’ can help to reduce power peaks at the grid connection point.

The expansion of charging infrastructure brings with it further requirements. Several vehicles charging simultaneously can significantly increase energy demand at the site. An EMS can coordinate the charging processes with other consumption, the available PV output and the state of the storage system. This allows the available grid connection capacity to be utilised more effectively.

Time-varying electricity prices can also be incorporated into the operational strategy. Depending on the tariff and technical design, the energy management system can determine at what times energy should be procured or stored.

In many projects, several of these applications are combined. The battery storage system can then, for example, be used simultaneously for optimising self-consumption, peak shaving and charging infrastructure.

The EMS handles the coordination and, based on the defined operating strategy, determines how the available storage capacity is utilised.

It is precisely this multi-use operation that can be of particular interest to businesses, as it enables a single storage system to perform several tasks within the energy infrastructure. However, it is only possible to assess which combination makes economic sense once load profiles, electricity costs, PV generation and planned applications are considered together.

In addition to potential savings during day-to-day operations, BAFA funding can also influence the cost-effectiveness of a project.

The federal funding scheme for energy and resource efficiency in industry supports companies in making investments that improve their energy efficiency. Module 3 is particularly relevant for energy management systems.

Funding is available for software and hardware solutions related to the establishment or implementation of an energy or environmental management system.

• These may include, amongst other things:

• Energy management software

• Measurement, control and regulation technology

• Sensors for monitoring energy flows

• Measurement and metering infrastructure

• Data loggers and gateways

• Communications infrastructure

• Training on the use of energy management software

The amount of funding available depends on the size of the company. Small businesses can currently receive up to 45 per cent of eligible investment costs. For medium-sized enterprises, up to 35 per cent is available, and for large enterprises, up to 25 per cent.

Which components of a project are actually eligible for funding must always be assessed on a case-by-case basis. In addition to the technical requirements, the formal conditions of the funding programme also play an important role.

For businesses, however, the funding may still be an interesting factor to consider in a cost-benefit analysis. If investments in energy management are subsidised, the company’s own investment costs are reduced. At the same time, the EMS can help to manage the existing energy infrastructure more efficiently.

The extent to which this affects ROI and payback period depends on the specific project. Load profile, energy prices, storage capacity, PV generation and operational strategy remain key factors.

The BAFA funding scheme for battery storage requires closer examination.

Module 3 focuses primarily on energy management software, sensor technology and measurement, control and regulation technology. However, for larger efficiency projects, other funding modules may also be relevant.

Module 4, for example, deals with measures for the energy- and resource-related optimisation of plants and processes. Depending on the project, a battery storage system may play a role in this context.

Whether a subsidy is available depends, amongst other things, on the intended use of the storage system, its integration into the existing infrastructure, the expected energy or greenhouse gas savings, and the technical requirements of the relevant funding module.

It is therefore worth checking eligibility for funding as early as the planning stage. This allows for early clarification of which components of a project can be taken into account and what evidence is required.

When planning a battery storage system, it is not enough to consider capacity and power output alone. Equally important is the question of what role the storage system is intended to fulfil during subsequent operation.

For one business, the priority may be to reduce high peak loads. At another site, the aim may be to utilise as much of the site’s own PV electricity as possible. Yet another project combines battery storage with charging infrastructure.

These requirements have a direct influence on the design of the storage system and the control logic of the EMS.

Therefore, load profiles, consumption data and existing systems should be considered right from the start. From this, it is possible to determine when energy is required, what load peaks occur and what surplus PV electricity is available.

The next step is to define the economic objectives. This determines the requirements for storage capacity, power output, metering points and EMS control.

BAFA funding should also be taken into account at this stage. For funded projects, the timing of the application plays a key role. If work has already begun or binding contracts have been awarded too early, this may affect eligibility for funding.

BAFA funding should also be taken into account at this stage. In the case of funded projects, the timing of the application plays a key role. If work has already begun or binding contracts have been awarded too early, this may affect eligibility for funding.

A possible project timeline therefore begins with an analysis of existing energy flows and the definition of technical and economic objectives. Building on this, the battery storage system, energy management and metering concept are designed. It can then be assessed which funding options are available for the specific project and what documentation is required.

In this way, technical planning, economic viability and funding can be coordinated from the outset.

Through our ‘HIS Renewables’ product range, we help companies to plan and optimise their energy infrastructure based on the actual requirements at their site.

Our ‘HISbatt’ battery storage solutions are designed for commercial and industrial applications and can be used for a variety of operating strategies. These include, amongst others, peak shaving, optimising self-consumption of PV energy, integrating charging infrastructure and safeguarding critical loads.

The ‘HISems’ energy management system handles control within the overall system. It records relevant energy data, analyses load profiles and coordinates battery storage, the PV system, loads, charging points and the grid connection.

The operating strategy employed depends on the objectives and requirements of the individual company.

The first step is therefore an analysis of the site. Load profiles, energy consumption, existing PV systems and planned applications provide the basis for further planning. On this basis, storage capacity and output can be determined and the appropriate EMS strategy developed.

This provides companies with a solution that is tailored to their actual energy flows and can integrate various use cases.

The combination of battery storage and energy management can be particularly interesting for businesses that already operate a large PV system, regularly experience high peak loads, or wish to expand their charging infrastructure.

Even where energy consumption is high or highly variable, it is worth taking a close look at existing load profiles. It is often only through this analysis that it becomes clear at what times high costs arise and where a storage system could be usefully deployed.

The following points, amongst others, should be considered:

- Load profile and energy consumption
- Existing and planned PV capacity
- Storage size and capacity
- Peak-shaving potential
- Self-consumption of PV energy
- Charging infrastructure
- Grid connection capacity
- EMS control strategy
- Potential eligibility for BAFA funding
- Cost-effectiveness and payback period

The interplay of these factors helps determine which solution is most suitable for the specific site.

Are you planning to install a battery storage system, do you already operate a photovoltaic system, or would you like to reduce your energy costs and peak loads?

HIS Energy can help you analyse your energy flows and develop a suitable storage and energy management concept. We work with you to assess the technical requirements, possible operating strategies and the project’s cost-effectiveness.

Potential funding opportunities can also be factored into the planning at an early stage.

Let us carry out a no-obligation assessment to identify the potential for savings and funding at your site.

Battery storage systems offer businesses the opportunity to use energy more flexibly and to meet various requirements within their own energy infrastructure. How cost-effectively a storage system operates depends heavily on the load profile, the system design and the chosen operating strategy.

An energy management system provides the necessary transparency regarding energy flows and enables the targeted coordination of storage systems, PV installations, consumers and charging infrastructure.

BAFA funding can also support investments in energy management software as well as associated sensor technology and measurement, control and regulation systems. Depending on the project, it may also be worth exploring further funding opportunities for battery storage systems.

By considering energy management, battery storage and funding opportunities together right from the planning stage, companies can lay a solid foundation for a long-term, cost-effective energy supply.