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Electricity prices are becoming increasingly volatile due to the integration of renewable energy, global energy market fluctuations, and dynamic demand patterns. For industrial facilities, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity: can production processes be aligned with cheaper electricity periods to cut costs and improve sustainability? At SmartOpt, our answer is yes — through advanced forecasting and smart demand-shifting strategies.
In liberalized electricity markets, such as day-ahead, intraday, and balancing markets, prices fluctuate hourly based on supply-demand dynamics and grid needs. Energy-intensive sectors, such as automotive, chemicals, and manufacturing, often consume large amounts of electricity during peak hours, when prices are highest. This not only increases energy bills but also leads to higher carbon emissions, as peak-time electricity is often produced from more carbon-intensive sources. With our ForecastOpt solution, SmartOpt enables facilities to anticipate electricity prices accurately and plan their energy usage more efficiently.
One of the key strategies we implement is demand shifting, which involves moving energy-intensive operations to hours when electricity prices are lower — often coinciding with higher renewable energy generation. By forecasting price trends 24–48 hours in advance, we help facilities reschedule non-critical processes, such as charging energy storage systems, running HVAC systems, or even adjusting production schedules, without disrupting operations.
Our collaboration with various industrial partners has demonstrated that strategic demand shifting can reduce electricity costs by up to 20%, especially when combined with smart automation systems. For example, in facilities with flexible production processes, we integrate price signals into the operation schedule, allowing production managers to make informed decisions based on both energy costs and operational priorities.
Additionally, SmartOpt’s solutions are designed to be scalable and adaptive. Whether a facility uses real-time data from spot markets or bilateral contracts, our models can integrate these inputs to provide actionable insights. ForecastOpt not only provides accurate price forecasts using machine learning and statistical modeling but also enables real-time monitoring and automatic adjustments to maximize cost efficiency.
Demand shifting also contributes to grid stability and decarbonization. By reducing consumption during peak hours, industrial facilities can help avoid grid stress and support the integration of renewable energy sources. In this way, energy cost optimization becomes aligned with broader sustainability goals.
As the industrial sector continues to digitalize and electrify, proactive electricity cost management will become a competitive advantage. At SmartOpt, we’re proud to support this transformation with smart, predictive solutions that empower industries to act — not just react.
If your facility is exposed to high electricity bills or suffers from price volatility, it’s time to explore smarter ways to manage energy. Contact us to learn how SmartOpt can help you shift your demand, reduce your costs, and become a more resilient and sustainable operation.