Download document () of 20
Send email
Download
You have exceeded the download limit
Location: The Florian Hotel, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Challenge: Limited by energy availability from the grid, The Florian were exceeding their energy contract at peak times and needed to increase their capacity in line with demand.
Solution: Eaton’s Buildings as a Grid approach was onboarded using two of Eaton’s xStorage Compact battery energy storage systems, a solar panel installation and Building Energy Management Software (BEMS) which led to the opportunity to install nine electric vehicle chargers.
Results: Peak shaving, renewable energy production and intelligent energy management allowed the Florian to operate comfortably through its 24-hour service period and handle the introduction of nine EV chargers and reduce carbon emissions by 15 tonnes per year.
Background
The Florian Hotel, near Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, was established in a former office building, the once derelict office space was transformed for millennial professionals. The refurbishments employed sustainable materials in the architecture that minimise heat loss and maximise natural light, and chemical and toxin-free products for guests. Designed with digital nomads as a focus demographic, it boasts large communal working spaces, luxurious rooms and a modern restaurant.
Championing sustainability is a part of The Florian Hotel, we want a comfortable, welcoming, modern environment that is good for the planet. Eaton’s Building as a Grid approach was a natural next step, that not only provided a much-needed solution to our energy demands but made our operations more efficient than they were before.
Challenge
The initial renovation set the foundations for closing the gap between energy demand and supply. The Netherlands, like many other European countries experiences high levels of grid congestion, often impacting businesses during peak times. The Florian already struggled with sourcing enough power from the grid to operate, and with current legislation it was impossible to renegotiate their contract. Conscious of increased hours of usage from converting into a hotel and the enduring trend of increasing electricity usage, they needed to find a lasting answer to their already evident demand problem.
Solution
There is not one way of adopting Eaton’s Buildings as a Grid approach. Eaton supports companies through every stage of the transition, to decentralise energy production and convert buildings into energy hubs, therefore increasing their self-sufficiency and maximising long-term cost savings. The Florian began their energy transition journey with Eaton’s xStorage energy storage system, followed by solar panels, and then Building Energy Management Software (BEMS). A technique known as peak shaving, made possible with their new infrastructure, rebalanced The Florian’s energy management approach and had such a profound effect on their energy efficiency that they introduced nine EV charging stations on site.
The first component, Eaton’s xStorage battery energy storage system, is designed to the highest European safety standards providing ultimate reassurance for longevity in its ability to store energy for use throughout the day. The xStorage stockpiles energy and allows the site to manage multiple energy inputs and outputs effectively, even including the potential to hold energy to keep critical systems like emergency lighting or security systems running during power outages and emergencies. There are high levels of grid congestion in Amsterdam, so having this level of independence from the grid and working throughout this uncertainty is an essential advantage of the xStorage proposition.
Seeing the improvement of having another energy input on site, The Florian then decided to install solar panels as a renewable energy source. This not only lined up with their ambition to operate sustainably, but it also further reduced dependency on the grid during the daytime and reduced their carbon footprint.
The xStorage batteries and renewable energy coupled with the Building Energy Management Software (BEMS) created the greatest impact with peak shaving. Peak shaving curbs reliance on the grid during instances where there are the highest energy needs. By electing to conserve power from the grid or renewable energy when it is surplus, and releasing it during peak periods, The Florian no longer exceeds its energy contract. In this case, energy is conserved throughout the night during low usage hours and spent during the daytime. As solar panels generate energy throughout the day, energy is not often stored but rather used throughout peak daytime hours, this approach has been so effective that the site can now support nine electric vehicles charging throughout the day too.
Additionally, the Building Energy Management Software benefits extend beyond the immediate distribution of energy and assesses the building's energy inflows and outflows. Over time it learns the typical energy use cases and optimises efficiency. The metrics that are recorded here can also be used by the software to create forecasts and provide additional insights into the building's operations, to aid business owners and facilities managers in making better decisions for future projects.
Results
The Florian wanted to achieve energy efficiency enough to continue operations throughout the entire 24-hour period, without surcharges or restrictions for the complete satisfaction of their guests. Building Energy Management Software uses the xStorage and immediately responds when energy demand exceeds a certain limit and uses stored energy to avoid over dependence on the grid. The automatic and instantaneous nature of the system can make calculations based on the dynamic tariffs keeping costs to a minimum.
Buildings as a Grid approach, using renewable energy, xStorage and Eaton’s BEMS not only achieved its goal of increasing efficiency and keeping the hotel operating continuously but empowered The Florian to increase its EV charging capabilities. With Eaton’s Buildings as a Grid approach, they could install nine EV charging ports, something they previously thought would not be possible. This has become an additional incentive for customers, making the return on the initial investment even quicker, as it can lead to more hotel bookings, and The Florian could charge EVCI users.
