Modern energy sector

Energy storage is the process of storing energy that has been produced at one moment and using it at another moment. Energy storage is important for increasing the efficiency and flexibility of the energy system because it reduces dependence on instantaneous energy production and consumption. Energy storage can take place in different ways, for example by using batteries, pumped storage plants, flywheels or hot storage. Energy storage also has a positive impact on the environment by encouraging the use of renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

It is a complete takeover and operation of the customer’s energy source. This is followed by the design of a new solution, the reconstruction and operation of the new equipment under the direction of TEDOM. In addition to saving the investment in the new equipment, the customer gets a modern solution that combines both environmental and economic benefits.

Energy communities are one type of community energy. They are entities that bring together and coordinate the flexibility of electric power producers and consumers. The main purpose of an energy community is not to make a profit, but to provide environmental, economic or social benefits to its members or to the territories where it operates.

Community energy is an innovative approach to the energy sector that emphasizes the active participation of local people and small communities in the energy sector. The concept promotes the development of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. The main objective is to create sustainable energy systems at local level, which includes the development of micro-grids, shared production and consumption of electric power in households and small-sized businesses. Community energy thus creates economic and environmental benefits for local communities, increasing energy independence and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

It is the ability of the owner of the resource to react quickly to changes in the supply and consumption of electric power in order to maintain the energy balance in the network – electric power must be produced in the exact amount that is consumed at any given time. This includes using resources that can quickly increase or decrease their production. Flexibility allows the power to be produced efficiently, minimizing losses and ensuring reliable operation of the grid. In the future, the focus will be on the use of decentralized resources and the involvement of consumers in the management of flexible operation. Consumers will thus also become suppliers if necessary.

The carbon footprint of electric power and gas production refers to the amount of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), released into the atmosphere during this production. It is therefore used to measure its environmental impact. Low carbon footprints are usually associated with production from renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines, where CO2 emissions are minimal. In contrast, electric power generation from fossil fuels such as coal or oil has a high carbon footprint. The carbon footprint of electric power generation can be reduced by increasing efficiency and by an appropriate mix of sources.

A virtual power plant is an innovative concept that combines many small and decentralized energy sources into one efficient and flexible system that behaves externally as one large source. This network connects, for example, CHP units, photovoltaic panels, batteries and other renewable as well as traditional energy sources. The virtual power plant allows these sources to be managed and the electric power supply optimized according to current needs and market prices. This increases overall efficiency and allows resource owners to earn financial rewards for their participation in the virtual power plant. This modern concept promotes sustainable energy and increases the reliability of electric power supply.

Aggregation block is a set of interacting energy resources used to provide power balance services in the electric power network. This block has a minimum total capacity of 1 MW. However, even with smaller resource sizes, it is possible to aggregate these resources into a block that acts externally as one large source. In this way, greater efficiency and reliability of the power system is achieved. TEDOM is a certified provider of these services for the Czech Transmission System Operator (CEPS) and offers other resource owners the opportunity to join this block.

The flexibility aggregator is a key actor in the modern energy ecosystem. It is tasked with collecting and efficiently coordinating the flexibility from small power producers who would otherwise not be able to enter the energy market. Indeed, the energy market has minimum size requirements for a given resource, which entails precisely the need for aggregation. The aggregator therefore takes care of the technical integration of resources, contractual issues and also the remote management of individual resources. An important component is therefore the software itself which monitors and optimizes the available flexibility in real time in the energy market. This enables efficient activation of resources at the most appropriate moments.