Abstract:
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Energy management is a series of systematic procedures used to realize economics of
energy efficiency potentials (Bertoldi & Atanasiu, 2007). Design of energy efficiency
strategies in industry in general aims at both gaining knowledge and developing
strategies that can assist industry with achieving energy efficiency targets. Significant
energy-efficiency improvement opportunities already exist in industrial sectors, many of
which are cost-effective (Eichhammer & Wilhelm, 1997). Energy efficiency is
specifically important in the battery industry which is becoming a sector with
significant impact on the global economy: (a) has potentials to provide access to
renewable energy sources (in vehicle to grid systems), (b) provides energy security (by
storing excess wind and solar energy for future use), and (c) reduces GHG emissions by
promoting use of renewable energy (Rao and Rao, 2011).
This study demonstrates the importance of undertaking energy efficiency measures
in battery industry focusing on the application of the EROI (energy returned to society on
the invested in making batteries), and ESOI (energy stored over the life of battery on
invested in making batteries). The theoretical analysis in this study indicated that in
addition to estimating ESOI as a measure of battery efficiency, industry needs to also
consider EROI as a method for assessing sustainability of the batteries, particularly when
those are considered as a distributed source of renewable in EVs (Electric Vehicles) with
smart grid configuration (V2G systems). Modeling results also indicated that efficiency of the batteries in the EVs with V2G configuration could be maximized if the daily depth
of batteries discharge (DOD) is balanced against their expected lifespans. |