The FGI energy storage system revolutionizes the power distribution mode and unlocks a new realm of highly reliable power supply in the transformer area

1.Background of the transformer area

Distribution transformer area is a professional term in the power system, referring to the power supply area of a substation (a certain transformer that is installed or in operation). According to different load types, it can be divided into four categories: urban residential transformer areas, commercial transformer areas, industrial transformer areas and agricultural transformer areas.

As the "core unit" providing power to power users and the "hub" for low-voltage power control, the operation status of the distribution substation directly determines whether power users can "access and use electricity well".

2.Traditional distribution transformer area solutions

The main problems existing in the traditional power supply of distribution transformer areas are:

Equipment aging: In some transformer areas, the transformers, distribution cabinets, lines and other equipment have been in use for a long time, and the aging phenomenon is serious, which makes them prone to failure and leads to frequent power outages.

Voltage deviation: With the continuous growth and uneven distribution of electricity load, some transformer areas have situations where the voltage is either too high or too low. For instance, during peak electricity consumption periods, the voltage at the user end far from the power supply point may be too low, affecting the normal operation of electrical equipment. During off-peak electricity consumption periods, excessively high voltage may occur, shortening the service life of electrical equipment.

Unreasonable capacity allocation: In the past, when planning distribution transformer areas, the prediction of the growth of electricity load was not accurate enough, resulting in the transformer capacity in some areas being too small to meet the current electricity demands of users. During peak electricity consumption periods such as high temperatures in summer and heating in winter, overloading often occurs, seriously affecting power supply quality and equipment safety.

Single-phase load connection: A large number of single-phase loads in residential electricity usage, such as air conditioners and water heaters, when connected to the power distribution system, if the three-phase distribution is uneven, it is easy to cause three-phase imbalance. In addition, similar problems may also exist in some single-phase devices in commercial and industrial users.

Affecting equipment operation: Three-phase imbalance will increase the loss of the transformer, reduce its output, and also cause uneven heating of three-phase equipment such as motors, affecting their service life and operational efficiency.

3.FGI industrial and commercial energy storage solutions

FGI adopts a solution where the low-voltage side busbar of the distribution transformer area is directly connected to the industrial and commercial transformer area energy storage system. This solution is very convenient for system design, installation and construction, operation and maintenance management, decommissioning and dismantling, etc. There is no need to add additional equipment. The industrial and commercial energy storage system supports outdoor IP54 requirements and can be used outdoors without any other protective measures. It fully supports plug-and-play and flexible configuration of energy storage devices in the transformer area.

Compared with the traditional scheme, it has the following advantages:

Backup power supply support: In the event of a grid failure or power outage, the energy storage system can be quickly put into operation as a backup power supply, continuously providing power to critical loads such as hospitals and communication base stations, ensuring the normal operation of important facilities, reducing the duration and extent of power outages, and enhancing the continuity and stability of power supply.

Voltage regulation: The energy storage system can flexibly perform charging and discharging operations based on the voltage conditions of the distribution transformer area. Absorb excess electrical energy when the voltage is too high and reduce the voltage. When the voltage is too low, it releases electrical energy, increases the voltage, stabilizes the voltage within a reasonable range, ensures the voltage quality at the user end, and improves the operational efficiency and service life of electrical equipment.

Peak shaving and valley filling: By charging during off-peak hours and discharging during peak hours, the energy storage system can transfer the grid load from peak hours to off-peak hours, balance the load curve of the grid, reduce peak loads, improve the equipment utilization rate of distribution transformer areas, delay the demand for upgrading and transformation of distribution equipment, and reduce the investment in grid construction.

Reducing electricity bills: For some users who are sensitive to electricity bills, such as commercial and industrial users, energy storage systems can take advantage of time-of-use electricity pricing policies to charge during off-peak hours and discharge during peak hours, thereby reducing users' electricity costs. Meanwhile, for distribution transformer area operators, by optimizing the load curve and reducing demand electricity charges, they can also lower operating costs.

4.The access scheme for energy storage in distribution transformer areas

Access location: The energy storage system is distributed and installed at different locations within the transformer area, such as near larger user load ends or distributed power source access points. The energy storage capacity can be flexibly configured according to the electricity demand and load characteristics of each area.

Applicable scenarios: It is suitable for transformer areas where the load distribution is relatively scattered or there are multiple local load centers, such as large residential community distribution transformer areas. The peak electricity consumption in different areas varies, and energy storage can be connected to each area separately.

Advantages: It can more accurately meet the power demands of local loads, reduce line losses, and enhance power supply reliability. Moreover, decentralized access can reduce the impact of individual energy storage device failures on the overall system and enhance the robustness of the system.

5.Value gain

Reduce electricity bill expenditure

Peak shaving and valley filling: By using energy storage systems to charge during off-peak hours and discharge during peak hours in areas with significant price differences between peak and off-peak hours, the overall electricity expenses of enterprises or transformer districts can be reduced. Take a certain customer of FGI Electronics in Zhejiang Province as an example. The peak electricity price of this customer is 1.2 yuan per kilowatt-hour and the off-peak electricity price is 0.3 yuan per kilowatt-hour. The energy storage system discharges 1,000 kilowatt-hours during the peak period and charges 1,200 kilowatt-hours during the off-peak period (considering the charging and discharging efficiency). Then, each charge and discharge can save electricity bills of 1.2×1000-0.3×1200 =840 yuan.

Demand control: A certain customer of FGI Electronics in Guangdong has adopted a demand-based electricity charge system. The energy storage system can release electricity during peak load periods, reducing the actual demand of the transformer and avoiding additional costs caused by excessive demand. The customer's original demand was 500 kVA, and the electricity cost per kVA was 40 yuan. After installing the energy storage system, the demand was reduced to 450 kVA. Therefore, the monthly electricity cost saved is (500- 450)×40= 2,000 yuan.