Energy saving and load shifting of customer demand under dynamic grid-usage tariffs

Abstract

With the rise in intermittent renewable generation in the total energy mix, distribution grids encounter significant challenges related to stability and reliability. In response to the challenges, significant investments in grid infrastructure particularly at the distribution side are projected to upgrade infrastructure and increase grid flexibility. Improving grid flexibility, particularly on the demand side, offers a more economical alternative that can reduce total infrastructure costs while preserving system stability and dependability.

This thesis investigates the response of customer to demand-side flexibility measures, focusing on dynamic electricity tariffs as a mechanism to incentivize customer engagement in demand-side management. By analysing data from the OrtsNetz project, a local energy market initiative in the Canton of Zürich, this thesis examines the impacts of dynamic pricing models, including time-of-use and real-time pricing, on customer energy consumption patterns. The study leverages smart meter data, alongside comprehensive mapping of customer behaviour and enrolment responses, to evaluate the efficacy of the offered tariffs. The results of this thesis demonstrate that dynamic tariff schemes have the potential to unlock demand-side flexibility: shifting peak loads and promoting energy efficiency measures. Automated load control technologies integrated into customer's premises emphasize the role smart meters can play in real-time customer engagement with price signals. The research contributes to an understanding of how dynamic tariffs can be optimized in support of grid stability and sustainability.

This thesis informs both technical and financial insights that might draw from an exploration of the interactions between customer behaviour, technologies infrastructure, and policy frameworks to further an adaptive and resilient system of electricity distribution.