Customers, Citizens and Loads
Demand-side activities in FlexNet touch several aspects of the future network but most are concentrated in the "Customers, Citizens and Loads" work-stream. The emphasis has been on the end use of electricity and all its dimensions: economic, technical and human. The research programme acknowledges the difficulties in engaging all customers in the realisation of the 2020 targets because of the relatively short lead-time and the significant inertia in getting noticeable customer transformation. The progress in that respect has been on engaging consumers with respect to the necessary transition towards the 2020 objectives by better understanding how people shape their vision of the electricity supply system and their flexibility in interfacing with it. Moreover, progress is being made in designing and assessing the initial market and regulatory step changes needed to make customer participation more than a pious promise. We likewise assess how the current evolution of electrical loads will impact the networks and their ability to contribute to easing the difficulties associated with the meeting the 2020 targets.
To achieve the envisaged decarbonisation of the electricity sector beyond 2030, an overwhelmingly significant portion of the demand for electricity will need to be able to align itself dynamically with the availability of carbon-free generation, i.e. demand will need to be flexible. This entails having to develop radically new ways to consume and value electricity with minimal productivity and comfort losses. The work programme across FlexNet is developing some of the key enablers for this objective. To name a few, we are developing self-regulating buildings capable of managing their energy consumption according to the availability of wind power; electricity market designs catering for flexible demand which also recognise the specificities of demand flexibilities and customer-driven innovation initiatives as well as promoting "active" energy lifestyles.
Work-stream Leader
Professor Patrick Devine-Wright
Department of Geography
Room Number: Amory 358
Amory Building
Rennes Drive
University of Exeter
Exeter, EX4 4RJ, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1392 722257
Email: p.g.devine-wright@exeter.ac.uk