Assessing the viability and environmental impact of residential demand response programs: A case study in East Legon, Greater Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Residential demand response programs hold significant potential for delivering cost benefits and enhancing the overall security of the power supply network. In the context of Ghana, the current state of such programs could be improved. Regrettably, utility companies in the country currently lack an understanding of customers' behavior related to electricity use, which hinders residential demand response implementation in Ghana. This paper aims to relieve the Ghanaian power network’s demand in peak hours through a residential demand response program by assessing consumer behavior related to electricity consumption in a day. This study presents East Legon as a case and employs the diversified demand method based on consumer behavior to assess residential demand response in Ghana. The results indicate that a 3 MW of demand can be relieved on the network in a day during peak hours. The annual energy savings resulting from this initiative is 40,479,991 kWh. A 1,032,239,780 kg of CO2 emissions due to this program can be avoided. Notably, the study demonstrates a positive Net Present Value (NPV) of GHS 350.00, signifying the financial viability of the demand response program in East Legon over the specified time horizon. The research underscores the significance of leveraging consumer behavior to optimize demand response programs, offering valuable guidance to policymakers and utility companies to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in the region.