LafargeHolcim reduces energy spend with DR

Assessing peak energy use

The LafargeHolcim group operates a large cement plant in Obourg, Belgium. The plant runs throughout the year, but must scale up production during the peak summer season. Management had no clear view how different plant components impacted energy demand. 

Flexible approach to power consumption

Demand Response (DR) provides a real-time view of energy consumption from the different components within the Obourg plant.

Centrica Business Solutions’ expert teams worked alongside Obourg management to understand the way the plant works. This helped define operational boundaries for all flexible assets and implement a plan of action that maximises energy value, while ensuring production processes are not impacted.

The results

DSR enables LafargeHolcim to operate the Obourg plant more flexibly. If needed, it can switch off its large clinker mills and smaller coal and slag mills during periods of peak energy consumption, with full transparency of the energy consumption and cost implications. For the first time there is clarity over energy costs for different plant components. 

There is also a national impact. With the Belgian media warning of electricity shortages in the winter, potentially impacting businesses and citizens, Centrica Business Solutions was able to introduce the plant management to the various reserve programmes offered by transmission system operator, Elia. As an incentive, in exchange for its flexibility, Elia could offer Obourg an indemnity to cover the cost of any lost production.

In addition, Centrica Business Solutions established seamless automation with no need for human intervention, real-time monitoring of any curtailment and full transparency on expected payments.

Why Centrica Business Solutions?

• Centrica Business Solutions builds partnerships with 100% aligned goals. Holcim earns from Demand Response, not from the optimisation of someone else’s generation assets, so it can see a real-time view on the value of its flexibility: how much payment is expected, when power is available and how much CO₂ was saved.
• Demand Response facilitates the further development of renewable energy. It lowers LafargeHolcim’s carbon footprint and helps to curb global climate change.
• Centrica Business Solutions optimises revenues all year-round, offering the highest possible volume, in the highest-paying reserve, at the best possible time.