Unlocking Demand Contribution to Distribution Network Management

1
Unlocking Demand Contribution to Distribution
Network Management

• Dr Chris Horne, CEng, MIEEE, FIET
• Head of Energy Infrastructure and End Use
• E.ON New Build and Technology

2
TODAY
2020

• Decarbonisation
• Smart grids
• Electric vehicles
• Electric heating

Demand led
Generation led

• Unabated fossil fuel
• Ageing plant
• Small nuclear
• LCPD

• Renewable generation
• CCS
• Large nuclear
• Distributed generation

Impact on Distribution
Policy support

• Concern over climate change is prompting a major
  policy change
• We are moving from demand led to generation led

We currently flex generation to meet demand we
now need to also flex demand to meet generation.
(National Grid, 2009)
3

• DSM comprises 3 elements
• energy efficiency using less energy to achieve
  the same objective (e.g. efficient appliances,
  insulation)
• energy conservation reducing energy consumption
  by electing not to perform some energy consuming
  tasks (e.g. behavioural change)
• demand response shifting energy time-of-use to
  increase system efficiency

FD is a subset of DR
DR does not affect the absolute load level It
affects load shape and only over the short term
(mins to hours) DR does not require smart grids
or smart homes, BUT it does complement them
FD is a complement to other technologies
4
E.ON - Networks of the Future

• Significant installation of PV in LV/MV
  distribution network
• E.ON Bayerngt3500MW peak on a sunny day
• Continued future growth of PV and mCHP
• Issues with reverse power flows and voltage
  profiles

• RD Focus on Demand Response
• Distributed battery energy storage
• Active load management
• Part of a tool box of smart grid activities

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Demonstrating Flexible Demand

• UK Government Funded
• Investigating complexities of distributed /
  aggregated demand response
• Systems with inherent energy storage GSHP /
  HVAC
• Delivering response with no discernible impact on
  end user
• Significant potential flexible response focus
  on short term response

• Challenge is delivering value across different
  parts of the value chain and finding market
  mechanisms to reward participation

6
Conclusions

• Demand contribution has a significant role to
  play in future distribution networks
• Issues are already being experienced by DNOs
• There is a difference between load shifting and
  ancillary service response

• Market mechanisms need to be developed to deliver
  full potential of demand side participation