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Peakload
Shaving, PeakShaving, and PeakShave are terms used by utility companies. As
outlined in the article Overview of Products, Concepts and Technology used by Alternate
Energy Systems, Local Distribution
Companies (LDCs) purchase a
certain amount of gas over a fixed period of time (per day, per week, per
month, per year, or sometimes even per hour). However, even the best laid plans cannot take into
consideration unexpected cold spells, a burst pipeline, or other events that could happen to
disrupt the planned quota.
If the LDC should need more gas than it has contracted,
they pay a premium price – if the gas is available, to begin with. So, to insure
extra gas and avoid paying a premium price for any gas above the contracted amount, many utility
companies use LP, mixed with air, to duplicate the properties of NatGas. This
mixed gas is then used to supplement the LDC's gas supply, removing peak
NatGas flow rates, and thereby allowing a more consistent
fuel rate from their supplier, and help meet peak demand loads.
PeakShaving Plants have
been around for a long time, and a large number were installed in the
1970's. Unfortunately, many of them show their age with respect to
automation, remote monitoring, gas properties control, maintenance
intensity, safety, reliability, ease of operation, etc.
The PeakShaving Plants
manufactured by Alternate Energy Systems are typically designed and
manufactured to meet the specific needs of a particular customer. However,
they all have a number of features in common:
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