Building Professionals Learn About Energy Storage in Tropical Climates at MiaGreen Expo
February 18, 2016
High electricity prices plus development of renewable energy is gaining momentum in the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America creating greater opportunities for energy storage. In terms of energy costs, energy can be up to 75% less expensive at night during off-peak hours, than during the day. This is true even without a time of use electric rate. Cooling loads are typically 40% to 60% of a building's peak billing demand, especially in warm, tropical climates.
In regards to renewables, industry experts say energy storage is the missing piece to unleashing renewables in tropical climates. In particular, Latin America's economies are growing along with energy demands. Electric cars, microgrids and air-conditioning are increasing yet most countries lack their own fossil fuel resources. What they lack in fossil fuel they more than make up for in the way of sun.
In 2014 alone, Mexico invested 2 billion USD in renewable resources and Costa Rica is 99% renewable. Honduras obtains 50% from renewables; Jamaica aims to have 20% by 2030; Barbados aims for 29% by 2029. Bolivia and Peru have installed solar power in rural areas and Argentina has implemented policies to promote renewables. Chile currently has invested more in renewables than any other South American country. However, despite all these gains the sun's power cannot run all night without a means to store its solar energy. According to MIT Sloan Senior Lecturer Francis O'Sullivan, with enough energy storage, Latin America would be awash in solar. Wind is another untapped resource that can be stored, offering better economies of scale than solar energy but most limited in terms of geographic site placement.
Energy storage in Tropical climates
Addressing these factors (energy pricing and renewables) Mark Johnson, Southeast Regional Sales Manager for CALMAC explored the high priced electricity market in tropical climates at the MiaGreen Expo and Conference last week and focused on ice-based energy storage. His presentation discussed the cost and environmental benefits of thermal energy storage and detailed real-world examples of facilities using thermal energy storage. Attendees learned how thermal storage solutions are the low hanging fruit when implementing energy conservation measures.
Energy storage such as IceBank systems were presented as a proven solution that helps dramatically reduce cooling costs by allowing a building to choose when energy is purchased. Ice can be created using cleaner energy such as renewable resources and/or less expensive nighttime energy which is then deployed the next day to cool occupants.
Expo breakdown
MiaGreen was focused around turning sustainability into a profitable undertaking and catered to organizations and attendees from the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. The event ran
from Feb. 9 through Feb. 11, and featured a full slate of sessions from industry experts on clean tech and green building. Attendees had the opportunity to meet major market suppliers, get informed on technological innovations and business opportunities, as well as network with national and international peers.
The MiaGreen Expo was hosted at the Miami Airport Convention Center, just a 15 minute drive from Miami International Airport, where concourses are cooled using CALMAC's IceBank energy storage solution. Many attendees, including architects, engineers, contractors, property and sustainability managers and government officials from the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean, were able to experience firsthand the power of sustainable air conditioning before they even picked up their suitcases.
Another energy storage installation, near the expo building was the Port of Miami, also known as the "Cruise Capital of the World". Energy storage also cools several Miami institutions such as the Third District Court and the Turner Guilford Knight correctional center.
Energy storage in action
Other projects in Florida include the St. Lucie county school district, which will save $5,000,000 a year on energy costs between 15 different schools. Alachua County Library headquarters, located in Gainesville, Florida, recently in energy storage to help reduce daily operating costs in a bid to save taxpayer's money. By shifting their cooling operation to take advantage of cheaper energy prices during the nighttime, the 80,000 square foot library will be able to save the district $40,000 annually in energy costs. This is because the power they're using is 68 percent cheaper at night.
"IceBank energy storage will save the St. Lucie county school district $5 million annually."
Energy storage projects in Latin America and the Caribbean include WEB Aruba, Corona Stadium and several WalMarts in Mexico, the Cofely Termika plaza in Chile, Lamitech-Colissin Cigna in Colombia, Hospital del Hernando Pedro in Guatemala and the 65th Infantry Post Office in Puerto Rico.
With sky high electricity costs and more favorable project financing, now is the time for architects, engineers and facility managers in tropical climates to consider renewables and energy storage to dramatically reduce operating costs.
CALMAC is a global corporation with installations in over 50 countries and currently provides thermal storage solutions to all of Latin America, the Caribbean and the U.S. Please contact us for more information.
