Hunan Meini Supermarket Co., Ltd. is a retail chain enterprise. Currently, it has branch companies or subsidiaries in Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Changde, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, etc. The company's first store was opened in Zhangjiajie City in 1998. After more than ten years of development, it has become a large commercial retail enterprise in the commodity circulation field in Northwest Hunan. The company currently has 35 operating stores, with a total operating area of more than 300,000 square meters, and an annual sales revenue of 1.5 billion yuan.

 

I. Reduce electricity costs and improve economic efficiency

1.1 Peak-valley arbitrage:

Hunan implements time-of-use electricity pricing (peak electricity prices can be more than three times higher than off-peak electricity prices). The energy storage system can charge during off-peak hours (around 0.3 yuan/kWh) and discharge during peak hours (over 1 yuan/kWh), significantly reducing electricity costs.

Case study: Supermarkets typically have peak electricity consumption during the day (air conditioning, lighting, etc.). Energy storage can cover this high-priced electricity demand, saving an estimated 20%~40% on electricity costs.

1.2 Demand charge optimization:

Supermarkets have fluctuating electricity loads (e.g., peak passenger flow during holidays). Energy storage can smooth the load curve, reduce the peak demand power, and reduce demand charges (demand charges for large and medium-sized commercial and industrial users in Hunan can account for up to 30%).

1.3 Photovoltaic self-generation and storage peak regulation:

If equipped with rooftop photovoltaics, the microgrid can store excess green electricity for use at night or on cloudy days, improving the green electricity consumption rate (Hunan's solar resources are generally average, but photovoltaic + energy storage can still reduce grid electricity purchases by 10%~30%).

 

II. Ensuring the stability of power supply

2.1 Emergency backup power:

Supermarkets have high requirements for power continuity (e.g., cold chain storage, cash register systems). The microgrid can seamlessly switch during power outages, avoiding spoilage of fresh goods or losses due to business interruption.

Case study: During the summer power rationing in Hunan in 2022, supermarkets equipped with energy storage could maintain the operation of key equipment for 2~4 hours.

2.2 Voltage/frequency support:

Energy storage can quickly adjust power quality and prevent damage to precision equipment (such as cold chain compressors) due to voltage fluctuations.

 

III. Green transformation and policy benefits

3.1 Carbon emissions and ESG improvement:

Microgrids reduce reliance on thermal power, reduce corporate carbon footprint, are in line with Hunan's "dual carbon" policy orientation, and enhance brand image (especially for environmentally conscious consumers).

3.2 Policy subsidies and benefits:

Hunan energy storage subsidies: Changsha and other places have provided subsidies of 0.3 yuan/kWh for integrated photovoltaic and storage projects.

Demand response benefits: Participating in grid peak regulation can obtain compensation (the highest standard in Hunan in 2023 is 4 yuan/kWh).

Green electricity trading: In the future, green electricity indicators can be sold or carbon emission reduction benefits can be obtained.

 

IV. Business model innovation

4.1 Charging piles + energy storage linkage:

If the supermarket is equipped with charging piles (such as parking lots), the microgrid can optimize the charging load, reduce the cost of grid expansion, and even increase revenue through charging services.

Hunan Jiasheng Safe Food Industry Center is located in Liuyang City, Changsha City, Hunan Province, approximately 110 meters northeast of Jiasheng International Industrial Park on Liudong Road, Liuyang City, Changsha City. This data comes from the Industrial Park Database of the Foresight Industry Research Institute. For 20 years, Foresight Industry Research Institute has been focusing on research, planning, and investment attraction of various industries, industrial parks, industrial real estate, characteristic towns, and industrial new cities nationwide, assisting in local industrial development and promoting the integration of industry and city.

 

I. Reduce Electricity Costs (Direct Economic Benefits)

1.1 Peak-Valley Arbitrage:

Hunan implements a time-of-use electricity pricing policy (peak, flat, and valley). Energy storage can charge at a low price during the valley period and discharge for self-use during the peak period, reducing high-priced electricity expenses.

1.2 Demand Charge Management:

Energy storage can smooth the peak factory power load, reduce the maximum demand power, and reduce demand charges.

 

II. Ensure Stable Power Supply (Reliability Improvement)

2.1 Emergency Backup Power:

During peak electricity consumption in Hunan summers or sudden power outages, energy storage can serve as a backup power source to ensure the uninterrupted operation of key production equipment and reduce losses from work stoppages.

2.2 Voltage/Frequency Support:

Energy storage can quickly respond to grid fluctuations, improve the power supply quality of the park, and prevent damage to precision equipment due to voltage drops.

 

III. Support Green Transformation (Policies and Brand Value)

3.1 Green Electricity Consumption:

If the park is equipped with photovoltaic power generation, energy storage can store excess green electricity and increase the proportion of self-generation and self-use (the peak of photovoltaic power generation in Hunan is at noon, which may mismatch with the peak of factory electricity consumption).

3.2 Carbon Emission Optimization:

Reduce the amount of electricity purchased from the grid (especially thermal power), help enterprises achieve "dual carbon" goals, and improve ESG ratings.

3.3 Policy Subsidies:

Hunan may provide subsidies for user-side energy storage projects (for example, Changsha once provided a subsidy of 0.3 yuan/kWh for integrated photovoltaic and storage projects), or priority participation in demand response (subsidies of approximately 200-500 yuan/MW·time).

Source-network-load-storage microgrid integration is a new power operation mode based on the overall planning of "power source, power grid, load, and energy storage".