Development of models for quantifying the environmental impact of demand response in electrical power distribution

In this report some possible consequences of introducing demand response in the electric power grid are studied. Demand response is a part of the Smart Grid, which is a technology being developed to use our electric power grids more efficiently. Demand response programs aim to move people’s power usage over different times of the day, for example to distribute the power usage more evenly throughout the day or to permit a larger share of renewable, intermittent power sources in the system without making the delivery of electric power less stable. A distribution system operator (DSO) can encourage customers to shift their power usage between different hours by various tariffs, for example by using time-differentiated or power dependent tariffs. In this thesis, the change in power losses and possible environmental impact of introducing due to a power shift is studied. Power input curves from a DSO, Sala-Heby Energi AB, are studied and modified to simulate a power shift with an evened out electric power usage. The studies made show that in the best-case scenario, that is a electric power usage evened out to 100% each day, the power losses in the whole grid can be reduced with 2.6%. The environmental study shows that the result varies greatly with what method is chosen to do the calculations. The results are presented in kg CO2-equivalents (CO2e), and depending on method used they can either decrease or increase. The environmental study show that the environmental impact from the power usage is more dependent on the shift in power usage between hours than the decrease in electric power losses.