Farm Energy Storage Guide

A farm's electrical load is typically concentrated in the morning and evening: milking, feeding, grain drying, and lighting often coincide. Consequently, peaks recur daily, creating ideal conditions for peak shaving.

Costs consist of three components: the power-based element of the distribution tariff (demand charge), consumption-based distribution and energy costs, and electricity tax. In addition, spot price volatility can drive up costs during winter months, when prices are on average significantly higher than in summer.

1. Peak shaving. When the battery covers the peak caused by equipment start-ups, the measured monthly peak decreases and demand charges drop. This is often the primary and most tangible benefit.

2. Operational reliability. A power cut brings robotic milkers, feeding systems, ventilation, and milk cooling to a standstill. A battery can keep critical systems running long enough for a backup generator to start or for loads to be managed.

3. Reserve market revenue. The farm's battery can sell its capacity to Fingrid's reserve markets via an aggregator. This turns the battery into a source of income, rather than just a cost-saving measure.

Consider a farm with a measured monthly peak of 150 kW. The Emaldo PL-EL-100/209 system provides 100 kW of power and can cover the excess demand, bringing the peak down to 50 kW.

The reduction in demand charges is 137–597 euros per month when the peak recurs every month.

On the reserve markets, a 100 kW (0.1 MW) capacity generates an estimated 7 500 euros per year under the Tolling model, while the guaranteed minimum return under the Floor model is 5 500 euros.

The figures are illustrative examples: the farm's actual load profile, peak timing, and contract terms are always verified before making a decision.

Sizing requires at least 12 months of measurement data: hourly power, monthly peaks and consumption. In addition, it determines which systems are critical during a power cut, how long the battery must remain running, and whether the farm has solar power whose generation needs to be stored.

A structural question is whether the battery is placed indoors or outdoors, and how it is connected to the farm's distribution board. It must also be checked how the battery affects the farm's tax classification and insurance.