The search for more efficient and economical energy use has become a priority for many. On the one hand, we are more aware of its environmental impact. On the other, there is the economic cost of traditional energy resources. It is increasingly rising and is one of the big reasons why more people are looking for alternatives.
For these reasons, self-consumption of energy is presented as a solution, allowing individuals and companies to generate part or all of their electricity through their power generation facilities. But what is meant by self-consumption and does it have advantages for our pocket and the environment?
WHAT DOES THE SELF-CONSUMPTION OF ENERGY IMPLY?
Self-consumption of energy refers to the supply of electricity by an individual or an entity from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, through energy generation facilities that are owned by the individual or entity. These facilities are usually located at or near the point of consumption, thus facilitating the direct use of the energy produced.
TYPES OF ENERGY SELF-CONSUMPTION
1. Self-consumption with and without surpluses
With surplus
When you have a self-consumption system with a surplus, it means that if you produce more energy than you consume at any given time, that excess can be sent to the grid. In this way, you can receive compensation on your electricity bill or even generate income.
No surplus
On the other hand, if you opt for self-consumption without surplus, any additional energy you generate is used exclusively for your consumption. This means that you cannot sell that excess energy to the grid, but you can still make the most of the energy you produce for your daily needs.
2. Grid-connected or isolated self-consumption
Connected to the network
In this type of self-consumption, your power generation system is connected to the conventional electricity grid. This allows you to obtain energy from the grid when your production is not sufficient to cover your needs. It’s like having a backup to make sure you always have electricity available, even if your generation system is not producing enough power at certain times.
Isolated
Isolated self-consumption, on the other hand, means that your system operates independently, without being connected to the external power grid. This means that all the energy you use comes from your generation sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines. It is a popular option in remote areas where it may be costly or difficult to access the conventional power grid.
3. Individual or collective self-consumption
Individual
In this case, your power generation system supplies only your home or business. That is, all the energy you produce is used exclusively for your own energy needs.
Collective
On the other hand, collective self-consumption implies that an energy generation facility supplies multiple users or consumers. For example, in an apartment building or a community of neighbors, everyone shares the energy produced by a common generation system, which can be more efficient and economical for everyone.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SELF-CONSUMPTION OF ENERGY
Advantages
Use of renewable energy: harnessing renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promotes environmental sustainability.
Energy independence: self-consumption of energy allows users to reduce their dependence on conventional energy resources and fluctuations in electricity prices.
Economic savings: in the long term, self-consumption can result in significant savings in electricity bills, reducing costs by up to 70%, especially in the case of installations in single-family homes.
Disadvantages
High initial investment: although installation costs have decreased in recent years, the initial investment to implement self-consumption systems is still considerable, which may limit their accessibility for some people.
Need for storage: in many cases, self-consumption requires the installation of energy storage systems, such as batteries, to guarantee a stable supply at times of low production.
Intermittency of renewable sources: the availability of solar or wind energy can vary according to weather conditions, which means that self-consumption may not be completely reliable at all times.
Self-consumption of energy remains an attractive option for those looking to control energy costs, save money, and reduce their environmental footprint. As the years go by, as technology advances and government support for renewable energy increases, self-consumption is sure to play an increasingly important role in the future of global energy supply.