Renewable Energy Infrastructure

Small-scale energy resources, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage systems that are usually situated near sites of electricity use are referred to as distributed energy resources (DERs). They can help logistics organizations reduce the carbon footprint and cut energy costs by generating electricity onsite, reducing reliance on grid electricity.

DERs create new power system opportunities but also new challenges, particularly when a grid has not been properly prepared. Many organizations have installed rooftop solar panels, which have proved highly effective and some organizations are using small wind-power systems. However, utilization is likely to increase as new, more cost-effective solutions become available.

For example, the US startup Aeromine Technologies has developed a bladeless wind energy solution for rooftops that captures and amplifies wind as it strikes the side of a building, accelerating its flow over a flat roof. The wind passes through a pair of aerodynamic fins (similar to those on a race car) to maximize wind speed. As it passes through, the wind creates a vacuum at the base of the unit, which spins an enclosed propeller and generates power.

Meanwhile a startup in Spain, Vortex Bladeless, is developing a new wind power-generating technology without blades, gears, or shafts, encouraging a new urban opportunity for wind power. Instead, the light cylindrical machines oscillate perpendicular to the wind stream, creating an aeroelastic resonance in which energy can be harnessed from the wind.

On-site energy storage is a challenge for companies using solar panels or wind power solutions for their facilities and buildings, but so-called gravity batteries like those from the British company Gravitricity offer an innovative solution. When there is a surplus of green energy, gravity serves as a storage device by pulling a weight upwards via electric motors and, as soon as demand increases, for example at night, this weight can be lowered to release the stored energy.

The electricity grid is evolving from a traditional one-way flow of energy to a future power market where everyone can generate and consume energy. And this goes beyond installing DERs to generate clean energy onsite; it also includes the ever-increasing installation of onsite charging stations for electric cars, vans, and even electric trucks. In the near future, this will also include vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology allowing EVs to not only consume electricity from the grid but also supply electricity back to the grid. In essence, it allows EV batteries to serve as energy storage devices that can be utilized to support the stability of the electricity grid.

With these changes, logistics centers will ultimately become virtual power plants and storage facilities connected to the grid system. Future energy management systems must consider issues such as the size of the grid connection (average and peak power consumption of the electrical loads that will be connected to the grid), the AC/DC charging infrastructure (charging power, energy needed for given number of vehicles), and the sizing of the DERs (number of solar panels or capacity of energy storage).

Although this future demand for energy management will require technological advancements and grid investments, it will also open up new opportunities. Examples include the opportunity for energy trading in the electricity market (if permitted) to generate additional revenue by optimizing energy usage, generation, and storage, and by providing energy to the market when needed and demand energy when there is overcapacity.

As power distribution centers, logistics organizations can collaborate and partner with energy companies, local governments, and other stakeholders to develop innovative energy solutions. This can involve exploring shared energy infrastructure, joint investment in renewable projects, and participating in energy exchange programs.