Fuel cells and peak shaving

2 posts / 0 new
Last post

We've got a client that wants to look at ways to peak shave using
generators and/or fuel cells. For LEED EAc1: are those acceptable ways
to show energy savings? If I set up a generator in eQuest (or using ECM
if I can't figure the generators out), can I have a base utility rate
for the baseline building? Or do I have to have generators / fuel cells
in both models?

Thanks in advance,

James Hansen, PE, LEED AP

James Hansen's picture
Offline
Joined: 2011-09-30
Reputation: 200

As far as I know, you can take credit for this for LEED EAc1. The credit
is based on energy cost and not BTUs, so assuming you have a TOU rate
structure, you should show some savings there. There are potentially
some significant environmental benefits from peak shavings too - most
utilities have larger plants that run full time for a base load. They
then supply the additional loads with peaking plants - either natural
gas or diesel powered. Cutting demand reduces the need for peakers to
come online.

Of course - Coal power is the ultimate in peak shaving ;-)

Vikram Sami, LEED AP

Vikram Sami's picture
Offline
Joined: 2011-09-30
Reputation: 0