Loadshift

Klima- und Energiefonds, Neue Energien 2020, 5. Ausschreibung

JOHANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, E-Werk Stubenberg registrierte Genossenschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, Technische Universität Graz Institut für Elektrische Anlagen, e7 Energie Markt Analyse GmbH, Stadtwerke Hartberg Verwaltungs Gesellschaft m.b.H., 4ward Energy Research GmbH

In order to attain a sustainable energy system, the topic “load shift” gains more and more importance. During the last years, the technological feasibilities improved drastically due to intelligent net infrastructure like smart grids. With the help of smart metering systems, it is possible today to adjust consumption and production patterns. The project LoadShift deals with the thus generated enormous potential as to load shifts.

At present, static methods for load shifts (e.g. night storage heating, which converts hardly storable electricity into thermal energy) prevail among certain customer groups. This approach of transforming low-grade energy as a means of static load shifts is no longer desirable in times of intensive energy efficiency efforts. Thus, the aim of LoadShift is to highlight approaches concerning load shifts that efficiently use primary energy. Furthermore, the sectors households, industrial and commercial businesses and municipal infrastructure entities are evaluated by the help of case studies. To this end, the underlying interdisciplinary research project focuses on technical potentials of the energy forms electricity, heating, cooling as well as (waste) water.

From a methodological point of view, sufficient data and information has to be accumulated, in order to assess load shift efforts contributing to reach energy political goals. The technical analysis of potential load shifts in Austria is based on a four-step-approach, that builds on the tools, skills and know-how elaborated in previous and current projects (e.g. Demand Response – Shifting Energy Loads, IRON, GAVE). Using bottom-up (households, public utility providers) as well as top-down perspectives (industrial and commercial businesses), energy relevant data is compiled. This enables the development of optimised cost curves, which then can be interpreted. Finally, legal aspects of load shifts will be analysed. The methodological approach allows in the following to draft clear recommendations for action for decision makers concerning the most effective way to use potentials and the overall significance of load shifts as compared to other solutions (e.g. storage).

The project LoadShift aims at finding primary energy efficient approaches as to load shifts by analysing case studies. The proposed integrated approach takes the four major consumer groups (households, industrial and commercial businesses, public infrastructure entities) as well as different energy forms (electricity, heating, cooling and waste water) into consideration. In the end, a decision matrix is designed, from which recommendations for action for public and private decision makers from politics (including the regulatory authorities) and the economy concerning the increase in energy efficiency of the Austrian energy system are derived.