Types of Flexibility in the Energy Transition
Energy flexibility is crucial for adapting electricity production and consumption to the needs of the energy system. It operates on two levels: supply-side and demand-side flexibility.
Types of Energy Flexibility
Supply-Side Flexibility:
Involves adapting electricity production. Power plants can ramp up or down production based on demand. Examples include combined heat and power (CHP) plants, and emergency generators. Intermittent renewable sources (wind turbines, solar PV) are also concerned but can only ramp down production.
Demand-Side Flexibility:
Involves adapting electricity consumption. This includes time-shifting energy usage or reducing consumption during peak times. Examples include heating and cooling systems (e-boilers, heat pumps) or other manageable energy needs (EV charging, other processes).
Storage Flexibility:
Technologies like (industrial) batteries and thermal storage solutions allow the user to consume energy at one moment and to use it or reinject it into the grid at a later moment.
Types of Energy Flexibility
Supply-Side Flexibility:
Involves adapting electricity production. Power plants can ramp up or down production based on demand. Examples include combined heat and power (CHP) plants, and emergency generators. Intermittent renewable sources (wind turbines, solar PV) are also concerned but can only ramp down production.
Demand-Side Flexibility:
Involves adapting electricity consumption. This includes time-shifting energy usage or reducing consumption during peak times. Examples include heating and cooling systems (e-boilers, heat pumps) or other manageable energy needs (EV charging, other processes).
Storage Flexibility:
Technologies like (industrial) batteries and thermal storage solutions allow the user to consume energy at one moment and to use it or reinject it into the grid at a later moment.
Implicit and Explicit Flexibility
- Implicit Flexibility: Adjustments based on dynamic energy pricing (e.g., Dynamic tariffs). Consumers are incentivised to shift their usage patterns based on price signals. These price signals are available in different timeframes (e.g., day-ahead but also in near real-time)
- Explicit Flexibility: Direct responses to activation signals from the electricity grid operator. For example, an industrial plant may reduce consumption during peak demand to stabilise the grid.
Applications of Energy Flexibility
Flexibility serves multiple purposes, including:
- Grid Congestion Management: Ensures efficient energy flow without overloading the grid.
- Strategic Reserves: Maintains backup energy sources for emergencies.
- Energy Market Optimisation: Balances supply and demand in real-time markets
- Grid Balancing: Uses reserves to match energy supply with fluctuating demand and vice-versa when supply fluctuates due to variable renewable output or forced outages from conventional power plants.
