Control · Peak Smoothing
On cold mornings, all substations send requests at the same time. Dyneo dynamically utilizes the thermal inertia of buildings and the grid: it preheats before peak demand, then briefly lowers the setpoints of the substations sending the most requests.
The Principle
Peak power determines the capacity of your facilities and often triggers the use of peak-load generation—the most expensive and highest-emission source of heat in the grid. Just a few hours each winter have a significant impact on production costs and the carbon footprint.
Without steering
At 6 a.m., the controllers come out of night standby mode and the hot water tanks begin to refill. All the substations send requests at the same time, and the power plant must respond.
With hair straightening
The buildings with the highest demand are preheated before peak hours, and then their setpoint is lowered briefly. Their thermal inertia does the rest: your customers don't notice the difference.
Field Results
Achieved by controlling only the 20% of substations that draw the most power.
Why is so little enough?
In a power grid, a small number of buildings account for the bulk of the power demand. The measurements taken at each substation make it possible to identify these buildings and focus on them first.
The Key Point
Buildings and the grid store heat. Smoothing out peak demand does not mean turning off the heat; rather, it involves charging this thermal inertia before the peak and releasing it during the peak, recalculating the optimal time and amount each day.
Front-loading
When heat is available, the selected buildings and the network warm up slightly. The heat is stored in the walls, floor slabs, and pipes.
Return within
During peak hours, their power demand decreases. The stored heat takes over, and the indoor temperature remains stable.
Recalculate every day
The time and height of the peak vary depending on the weather. Each building reacts differently. Therefore, the timing and dosage are recalculated day by day, building by building.
The Method
Planning for Peak Demand
The demand and the weather forecast for the next few hours indicate when the peak will occur and how high it will be.
Selecting Substations
Those that require the most power and in which the building retains heat well. Often, just a few are enough.
Preheat, then set aside
A brief warm-up before peak demand, followed by a brief reduction in the setpoint, within the limits agreed upon with you.
Check
The power drawn at the power plant, the feedback, and—when measured—the internal temperatures confirm the result.
The Levers
Building Inertia
A well-insulated building loses very little heat in an hour. It can be preheated and then left to run on its own during peak hours.
Grid Inertia
Tap water is a reserve. A slightly higher flow rate before peak demand loads the system without triggering the makeup pump.
Storage
A balloon charged at night using base heat covers part of the morning peak.
Domestic Hot Water
The refilling of hot water tanks can be moved up or delayed by a few tens of minutes without affecting the occupants.
Morning Follow-ups
Scheduling reminders to occur after the overnight lull prevents them all from falling within the same 15-minute period.
Start Instructions
Coordinate with production management so that the power plant can anticipate rather than react.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will our customers be cold?
The temperature fluctuation is brief, preceded by a warm-up period, and limited to the thresholds set with you for each substation. The building's thermal mass keeps the indoor temperature stable.
Should all substations be controlled?
No. In practice, managing the 20% of substations that draw the most power was enough to reduce the overall peak by 20%.
Should we replace our PLCs?
No. Your controllers retain their programs. Dyneo offers a controlled setpoint offset, and you can stop it at any time.
Where is the data processed?
The platform is developed in Geneva and hosted in Europe. Your data remains yours.
They operate their networks using Dyneo
