YBT smooths consumption peaks and keeps electricity costs under control

YBT levels out consumption peaks at its concrete plant, makes better use of solar energy, and keeps electricity costs under control.

At YBT’s concrete plant, the concrete mixer runs whenever it's needed, and this inevitably results in consumption peaks and high electricity costs.

With Cactos’ energy storage solution, fluctuations in electricity prices no longer affect daily operations in the same way as before. Energy is stored during low-price hours and used when electricity is expensive. The battery system also smooths consumption peaks, leading to lower base and demand charges.

Summary

Customer: YBT Oy
Industry: Precast concrete manufacturing
Installed solution: 2 x Cactos Fero, 92 kVA / 215 kWh

Benefits of Cactos

Consumption optimisation based on electricity prices

Peak load management

Revenue from ancillary service markets

Better use of locally produced solar energy

YBT – The best in concrete

YBT is a family-owned company based in Ylitornio, dedicated to being “the best in concrete.” YBT manufactures precast concrete elements for all construction needs, with quality and delivery reliability at the core of its operations.

The principles of sustainable development are reflected in YBT’s everyday operations through efficient use of raw materials, waste management, and energy. For example, YBT has installed solar panels at its Ylitornio plant, creating a natural foundation for further optimizing energy use with Cactos’ solution.

Business can’t wait for cheap electricity

At YBT, production cannot be scheduled around electricity prices. In practice, this means production must run when customers need it. When the concrete mixer is running, consumption peaks are unavoidable. This often leads to significantly higher costs, especially when electricity prices are high.

At the same time, YBT wanted to make more efficient use of its own energy production so that electricity generated by its solar panels could be utilized more efficiently in production.

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The solution: flexibility through energy storage

Cactos’ energy storage systems provide flexibility where the production process itself can't. The system stores energy when electricity is inexpensive or when on-site generation exceeds consumption, and discharges it when electricity prices are high or demand peaks.

With Cactos, YBT can smooth peak electricity consumption and protect itself from price volatility using previously stored, and partly self-generated, energy. At the same time, the company can participate in ancillary service markets. All this happens automatically through the Cactos Spine software, without the need for the customer to monitor or control the system. Cactos Spine is the intelligent control system for energy storage, which automatically optimizes energy use. Developed in Finland and managed by Cactos, it is a secure software solution that enables optimal operation of the energy storage system 24/7.

“All batteries are more or less the same, but Cactos’ battery management is, in my opinion, superior. It’s a complete service – you don’t need to intervene at all. The energy storage system operates fully automatically,” says YBT owner Reijo Alapuranen.

YBT smooths consumption peaks and keeps electricity costs under control

YBT levels out consumption peaks at its concrete plant, makes better use of solar energy, and keeps electricity costs under control.

YBT – The best in concrete

Business can’t wait for cheap electricity

The solution: flexibility through energy storage

"We’ve been very satisfied, and Cactos’ solutions and products have made a positive impression."

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