Wirtschaftliche Bewertung der Auswirkungen von elektrischen Netzqualitätsproblemen auf Intralogistikanlagen

Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

Authors

Abstract

In today's fast-paced business world, there is increasing need for efficient, reliable and, above all, economical logistics performance. Intralogistics facilities such as warehouses have a special role to play. They must balance the time difference between incoming and outgoing material flows. They thus act as hubs in both upstream and downstream supply chains, on which the economic success of their operating companies largely depends. Electrical power quality problems such as voltage fluctuations, harmonics or flicker affect the processes in these facilities and the ongoing energy transition is expected to exacerbate these difficulties. For manufacturing plants, these effects are well understood and solutions have been established. This thesis investigates the effects that are to be expected particularly in intralogistics facilities, and how they can be assessed from an economic point of view. For this purpose, an extensive literature review is carried out. This is followed by a practical case study at a selected example facility. To characterize the power quality, measurements are taken at the facility¿s grid connection point. It is shown that typical components and processes of material flow control are sensitive to the quality of the supply voltage. Failures due to voltage fluctuations and increased energy costs due to harmonics are the result. Systematic methods for determining these resulting costs are presented and applied. The economic viability of mitigation technologies presented in the literature section is evaluated within the case study. The methods of dynamic investment calculation - net present value, dynamic payback time and internal rate of return - are used for the assessment. The use of an on-line UPS is compared with a Dynamic Voltage Restorer to protect against downtime due to voltage fluctuations. Due to the high proportion of distorted reactive power, the use of an active harmonic filter to reduce reactive power costs is also investigated. The study reveals a positive net present value only for the Dynamic Voltage Restorer, with a payback period of over 11 years. The assessment is complemented by sensitivity analyses to account for uncertainties. These show that investing in a Dynamic Voltage Restorer makes economic sense. However, there is a certain level of risk involved. An active harmonic filter is only economically viable if the costs of reactive power increases. The case study shows that the impact of power quality problems - especially voltage sags - is also important for intralogistics facilities and that an investment in improving power quality can be economically justified.

Details

Translated title of the contributionEconomic Assessment of the Effects of Electrical Power Quality Problems on Intralogistics Facilities
Original languageGerman
QualificationDipl.-Ing.
Awarding Institution
Supervisors/Advisors
Award date20 Oct 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023