A Smart Grid System for Reducing Energy Consumption and Energy Cost in Buildings in São Paulo, Brazil

Flavio Guerhardt, Thadeu Alfredo Farias Silva, Felix Martin Carbajal Gamarra, Silvestre Eduardo Rocha Ribeiro Júnior, Segundo Alberto Vásquez Llanos, Ada Patricia Barturén Quispe, Milton Vieira Junior, Elias Basile Tambourgi, José Carlos Curvelo Santana and Rosangela Maria Vanalle
Additional contact information
Flavio Guerhardt: Industrial Engineering Postgraduate Program, Nine July University, Vergueiro Street, 235 and 49, Liberdade, 01504-001 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Thadeu Alfredo Farias Silva: School of Chemical Engineering, State University of Campinas, 13083-840 Campinas, SP, Brazil
Felix Martin Carbajal Gamarra: Energy Engineering, University of Brasília, Campus Gama, St. Leste Projeção A-Gama Leste, 72444-240 Brasília-DF, Brazil
Silvestre Eduardo Rocha Ribeiro Júnior: Industrial Engineering Postgraduate Program, Nine July University, Vergueiro Street, 235 and 49, Liberdade, 01504-001 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Segundo Alberto Vásquez Llanos: Department of Chemical Engineering and CIMAYDS Research Group, Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo, Avenida Juan XXIII 391, Lambayeque 14013, Peru
Ada Patricia Barturén Quispe: Department of Chemical Engineering and CIMAYDS Research Group, Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo, Avenida Juan XXIII 391, Lambayeque 14013, Peru
Milton Vieira Junior: Industrial Engineering Post Graduation Program, Methodist University of Piracicaba, Unimep, Rod. do Açúcar, KM 150, 13.423-170 Santa Barbara d’Oeste, SP, Brazil
Elias Basile Tambourgi: School of Chemical Engineering, State University of Campinas, 13083-840 Campinas, SP, Brazil
José Carlos Curvelo Santana: Production Engineering Post Graduation Program, Polytechnic School, São Paulo University, 05508-010 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Rosangela Maria Vanalle: Industrial Engineering Postgraduate Program, Nine July University, Vergueiro Street, 235 and 49, Liberdade, 01504-001 São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-22

Abstract: The National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) of Brazil, in a bid to encourage energy-conscious energy consumption, has proposed a new sustainable energy tariff modality (the White Tariff) based on off-peak usage. This study aims to compare and contrast situations in which the White Tariff alone is used, and where it is combined with power generation from a generator set or a photovoltaic cell energy system to reduce energy costs. Furthermore, economic, environmental, and social advantages are outlined in the project summaries. Interviews and documentary analyses were conducted in a technology park that uses only the White Tariff and in condominiums that combine the White Tariff with a generator set or a photovoltaic cell system. The data generated was fed into the database of the Horosazonal software to obtain an overview of these companies. Results show that the company adopting the White Tariff alone achieved 19% and US$14,684 in annual savings. However, when the White Tariff is combined with a generator set, the smart grid project proved to be more efficient over time as it obtained an annual benefit of US$35,832 and 62.38% savings. In contrast, the smart grid project combining a photovoltaic cell energy system with the White Tariff achieved an annual benefit of US$52,712, with 68.31% savings and was 1.3 to 5.3 times more profitable than other projects, demonstrating that it was the best smart grip project studied. Furthermore, opting for the White Tariff produced advantages such as a reduction in energy consumption expenses, contributing to a reduction in power outages and blackouts, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and boosting the company image within society. This study shows that energy-conscious consumption combined with the use of renewable energy sources is environmentally and economically advantageous and can provide future generations with a healthier environment in which people can make use of natural resources in a sustainable manner that is sustainable for planet earth.

Keywords: smart grid; sustainable consumption; White Tariff; software; energy generator; economic feasibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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