(426g) Creating Smart Grid Flexibility in Chemical Plants Through Electric Power Augmented Utilities

One aspect of the smart grid is to use real-time price structures within electricity markets as a vehicle to mitigate source-load inequities resulting from the uncertainty associated with renewable power sources (solar and wind). Under such price structures, those with an ability to change energy consumption rates can expect to capture more profit while providing the societal benefit of improving grid reliability.

In most chemical processes the energy used to drive the process is delivered in the form of steam. From an efficiency standpoint, it would seem that steam is the best approach. The argument is as follows: why use electric power that is transmitted long distances and produced from an electric generator driven by a steam turbine when the steam could be used directly and to avoid many of transmission and conversion losses? In this work, we will illustrate that such an argument fails in the smart grid context. Specifically, the intervals when electric power is cheap are those in which fuel based power plants are turned down and nuclear and renewable sources are the major contributors. We will then provide a number of examples of how electric power can be introduced within a chemical plant to augment existing steam utilities. For each case, the operating cost saves will be estimated and contrasted with expected investment costs.