Energetic Center FENIX Jeseník

The production area of ​​FENIX s.r.o. ensures, within the FENIX GROUP a.s. group, especially the production of the ECOFLOOR range of heating cables, ECOSUN radiant panels, and now also HES and MES battery storage systems. All production, storage, and office spaces are heated exclusively by electric radiant heating. The reserved power is negotiated within the range of 600-750 kW throughout the year. The average electricity consumption of the entire area is approximately 3 GWh per year.

Building the EC FENIX - photovoltaics and battery storage

A new Energy Center was built in the production area of ​​FENIX s.r.o. in Jeseník between 2022 and 2023. The aim of the project was to ensure a higher level of energy self-sufficiency and reduce operating costs during the energy crisis. In the autumn of 2022, the installation of new photovoltaic power plants began. The original installed capacity of approximately 130 kWp was gradually increased to the current 891 kWp in this stage - the installation took place on free roofs, but also on building walls or ground structures.

In January 2023, a new SAS battery storage system with a total capacity of 2.4 MWh and a power output of 720 kW was also launched. The equipment is installed in two shipping containers and is directly connected to the substation at the entrance to the area. This new storage complements the original solution with a capacity of just under 600 kWh and a power output of 720 kW from 2019, which is installed in the technical room of one of the production buildings and primarily provides energy backup for the area, protection against micro-outages, and trimming of consumption peaks. The total capacity within the battery storage systems thus currently amounts to almost 3 MWh. The system was designed with the aim of maximizing the use of self-generated energy directly in the area in connection with automatic optimization of electricity purchase and supply within the spot market.

Practical operation of the system

The FENIX Energy Center is managed by a control system that ensures monitoring of current consumption and PV production. At the same time, so-called spot hourly prices for power electricity are always loaded for the following day, and the sunlight forecast is evaluated - based on this information, the algorithm then generates a behavior plan that determines the times when the battery storage will be charged from the grid or from PV surpluses, when the battery will compensate for the area's consumption, thus reducing the consumption from the distribution network, and when, on the contrary, the battery storage will supply excess energy to the grid at a favorable price. The entire process is automated and does not require manual intervention.

Operational results for 2023

Without investing in the Energy Center (PV, storage, active SPOT), electricity costs would reach approximately CZK 14 million without VAT (with a consumption of 2.3 GWh and the government capped price of power electricity).

Investment costs in the Energy Center (after deducting the subsidy of CZK 11.5 million) amounted to CZK 45.5 million without VAT. For 2023, the annual savings amount to approximately CZK 7 million, so the current payback period is 6.5 years.

Operational results for 2024