Assessing the value and impact of demand side response using whole-system approach

Abstract

This paper describes the whole-system based model called WeSIM to quantify the benefits of demand flexibility (DSR). WeSIM is a holistic and comprehensive electricity system analysis model which simultaneously optimises the long-term investment decisions against real-time operation decisions taking into account the flexibility provided by demand. The optimization considers the impact of DSR across all power subsystems, i.e. generation, transmission and distribution systems, in a coordinated fashion. This allows the model to capture the potential conflicts and synergies between different applications of DSR in supporting particularly intermittency management at the national level, improving capacity margin, and minimizing the cost of electrification. The impact and value of DSR driven by whole-system approach are compared against the impact and value of DSO or TSO-centric (silo approaches) DSR applications and the importance of control coordination between DSO and TSO for optimal DSR is discussed and highlighted.

Demand response and energy justice: A critical overview of ethical risks and opportunities within digital, decentralised, and decarbonised futures

“…Torriti (2012) report a reduction in morning peak with a TOU tariff, but increased pressure on substations during the evening peak. DSR interventions increasing network pressures in this way has been highlighted as a risk both in modelling (Martínez Ceseña and Mancarella, 2018;Pudjianto and Strbac, 2017), and seen in other pilots where increased peaks of consumption were created (Khan et al, 2016;Sweetnam et al, 2018;Tindemans et al, 2014). Reasons for the difference between the theoretical and actual performance of DSR interventions are discussed in more detail in subsequent sections.…”

“…In terms of opportunities, it has been argued that reductions in the workload placed on energy transmission and distribution infrastructures would result in a relative aggregate cost saving against today's costs (Bradley et al, 2013). Future energy demand scenarios highlight further cost savings may result from a reduction in generation and network capacity investment, on the proviso of strong market coordination (Pudjianto and Strbac, 2017;Strbac, 2008). These cost savings could, theoretically, be passed on to all domestic consumers through lower energy billsor at least limit the extent of energy cost increases in the future (Citizens Advice Bureau, 2014).…”

“…These cost savings could, theoretically, be passed on to all domestic consumers through lower energy billsor at least limit the extent of energy cost increases in the future (Citizens Advice Bureau, 2014). Whole system modelling by Pudjianto and Strbac (2017) has estimated that DSR, predominantly acting on electric vehicles and electric heating following widespread uptake of these technologies, would reduce energy bills in 2050 by 4-6% relative to not having any form of domestic DSR.…”

Heat Decarbonisation Modelling Approaches in the UK: An Energy System Architecture Perspective

“…The Integrated Whole Energy Systems (IWES) model [32] is an enhancement of the Whole Electricity System Investment Model (WeSIM)-a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model [53]. It incorporates the modelling of heating technologies and a module that optimises hydrogen infrastructure.…”

Investigating the effects of demand flexibility on electricity retailers’ business through a tri‐level optimisation model

“…In this setting, flexible demand technologies, enabling temporal redistribution (shifting) of electricity demand in time, have attracted great interest, since they exhibit the potential to support system balancing and reduce peak demand levels. Numerous studies have investigated these beneficial impacts of demand flexibility on electricity systems' short-term operation and long-term development [2][3][4][5][6].…”