The Demand-Side Opportunity: The Roles of Distributed Solar and Building Energy Systems in a Decarbonized Grid

O'Shaughnessey, Eric; Shah, Monisha

doi:10.2172/1820102

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 73 publications

(117 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…1 Demand-side resources can provide grid services and help decarbonize grids more quickly and cost-effectively (Jenkins, Luke, & Thernstrom, 2018). Yet, demand-side services remain a largely untapped resource (O'Shaughnessy & Shah, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Savings in Action: Lessons from Observed and Modeled Residential Solar Plus Storage Systems

O’Shaughnessy¹,

Cutler²,

Farthing³

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The electric grid is rapidly evolving as small-scale, demand-side resources play increasingly important roles in grid operations and decarbonization. Maximizing the potential of demand-side resources involves incentivizing electricity customers to use those resources in ways that benefit the broader electric grid. These incentives depend largely on the electricity cost savings that customers can realize by adopting demand-side resources. Determining these potential cost savings is a complex task. Cost savings depend on numerous factors, including the characteristics of different technologies, the algorithms that control these devices, system performance, customer behavior, electricity rate structures, and climatic factors. Another challenge is that estimated cost savings are frequently based on modeled rather than observed system performance, particularly in the literature.In this study, we begin to fill the gap in empirical research of demand-side resources using data from a new-construction residential community equipped with rooftop solar and storage (S+S) in Arizona. We use these data to analyze the factors that determine customer electricity cost savings and emissions impacts of S+S in the real world. We then compare these data to modeled system performance to understand how models deviate from real-world outcomes. Based on these findings, we explore ways to improve such models and, conversely, use modeled results to suggest improvements to actual S+S deployment. The results of these analyses can be summarized in four key findings. Rate structures play a central role in the grid and customer value of demand-side resources.In the Arizona case study, the local utility enrolled all households in the community in an experimental rate designed for customers with demand-side resources. The data show that the distributed generation rate benefited the grid by reshaping customer grid demand profiles, especially by reducing demand during grid peak periods. At the same time, the challenge associated with reducing demand charges in the pilot rate plan eroded the customer cost savings from S+S adoption. The resulting erosion of customer value caused at least some community members to switch back to a time-of-use rate plan that was less beneficial to grid operations. In this case study and in other circumstances, there is a tension between designing rates that benefit the electric grid and providing incentives that induce customers to adopt demand-side resources.Certain customers can benefit more from demand-side resource adoption than others. Electricity cost savings varied significantly across households in our case study, even though the newly constructed, energy efficient homes were all equipped with similar S+S systems. Household-level factors that drive cost savings include total electricity demand, demand profiles (e.g., more use during on-peak hours), and differences in home square footage. Modeled battery dispatch and sizing reveals opportunities for additional cost savings.Modeled results show that current batte...

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Savings in Action: Lessons from Observed and Modeled Residential Solar Plus Storage Systems

O’Shaughnessy¹,

Cutler²,

Farthing³

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Impact of data for forecasting on performance of model predictive control in buildings with smart energy storage

Langtry,

Wichitwechkarn,

Ward

et al. 2024

Energy and Buildings

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Equity-driven investments in community energy systems: an optimization model applied to Washington State

Sifuentes,

Major,

McNett

et al. 2024

Environ. Res.: Infrastruct. Sustain.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper presents the development and application of the Equity and Climate Impacts Optimization in Community Energy (ECOCE) model, a mixed integer linear tool designed to optimize equity-driven investment in community solar projects. By providing insight on a variety of impacts of Community Solar Project (CSP) investments, including electricity bill savings, solar production, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction, the model assists policymakers in understanding the possible trade-offs in benefits and impacts of CSP investments. Using a detailed case study of a one-time $100 million investment in CSPs in Washington State, the model evaluates potential scenarios under various funding distributions to determine the optimal allocation of state funds. The study highlights considerations of geographical equity and participation, trade-offs between maximizing greenhouse gas reductions and minimizing energy burden, and the potential to use the model in different regional contexts. The findings suggest that targeted investments can provide significant electricity bill savings ($6.5-8.5 million annually) for low-income communities while contributing to state decarbonization goals (4-42 kTons of avoided emissions annually) in Washington State, though political and practical considerations may influence the feasibility of these optimized allocations. The ECOCE model provides a robust framework for decision-makers aiming to balance a variety of political, equity, and climate change mitigation considerations in the transition to renewable energy.

show abstract

The Demand-Side Opportunity: The Roles of Distributed Solar and Building Energy Systems in a Decarbonized Grid

Cited by 4 publications

References 73 publications

Savings in Action: Lessons from Observed and Modeled Residential Solar Plus Storage Systems

Savings in Action: Lessons from Observed and Modeled Residential Solar Plus Storage Systems

Impact of data for forecasting on performance of model predictive control in buildings with smart energy storage

Equity-driven investments in community energy systems: an optimization model applied to Washington State

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About