Grid Integration & Demand Flexibility
Aligning industrial loads with renewable energy availability
Your Progress
Section 4 of 5Industrial Load Flexibility
As industry electrifies, it becomes both a challenge and opportunity for renewable grids. Industrial loads can account for 30-50% of total electricity demand. Without flexibility, this creates massive grid stress. With smart integration, industry becomes a "virtual battery"—shifting loads to match solar/wind availability, participating in demand response, and providing grid services. Facilities with thermal storage or flexible batch processes can shift 40-85% of their load by 2-6 hours, capturing cheap renewable energy and reducing grid emissions by 20-40%.
Interactive Load Flexibility Simulator
Adjust demand response and storage to optimize industrial loads—watch how they shift throughout the day
Select Industrial Facility
Steel Mill (EAF)
Electric arc furnaces can shift 70% of load during non-peak hours
Load Profile (24 Hours)
Grid Conditions at 12:00
Demand Response Programs
Industries earn $10-50/MWh for curtailing loads during grid emergencies. Aluminum smelters, data centers, and EAF steel mills are ideal participants with 30-85% flexibility.
Thermal Energy Storage
Hot water tanks, phase-change materials, or molten salt storage enable time-shifting heat production by 4-12 hours. Charges during cheap solar midday, discharges during expensive evening peaks.
Review Key Takeaways
Test your understanding of process electrification