Reducing the cost of system intermittency using demand side control measures

In 2006, Flexitricity participated with IPA Consulting and Econnect in a wide-ranging study of intermittency in an electricity system.  The study considered

• The environmental and financial costs of balancing supply and demand;
• The effect of growing demand and renewable generation on these factors;
• The size and shape of the contribution which demand-side flexibility could make.

The broad conclusions were:

• Demand-side flexibility can reduce national electricity-sector emissions of carbon dioxide by between 300-750 tonnes per annum for each megawatt of flexibility provided;
• Pumping, air-conditioning, refrigeration, standby generation, CHP and hydro generation can each contribute volumes of flexibility which are as large as power stations;
• The need for demand-side flexibility will grow very substantially as the generation mix shifts from coal, oil and gas to renewables and nuclear.

The study was supported by the UK Department of Trade and Industry (now the Department for Business Innovation and Skills).

 Download the full report here.