Flexibility for whom? Householder and stakeholder perspectives on justice regarding the introduction of dynamic grid tariffs in Norway

Abstract

This paper presents the results from a qualitative research project in Norway on a forthcoming change in electricity grid tariffs. As a form of Demand Side Management to avoid capacity constraints in the grid, the new tariff seeks to reduce consumption peaks by incentivising householders to even out electricity use and shift to nighttime. We examine the perspectives of 13 representatives from grid companies as well as 22 householders and study the process of developing the tariffs, in which the researchers took part at certain times. We draw on previous studies on experts’ perceptions of end-users, social practice theory, and energy justice, and we employ the concept of flexibility capital to examine the situation of the participating households. The findings partly confirm results from previous studies showing that experts may have a simplistic view of end-users and by observing an unequal distribution of flexibility capital across the studied households. However, the study contributes to the field by observing a link between householders’ sentiments towards the new tariff and their respective levels of affluence and flexibility capital. Then, we explicitly address justice perspectives related to the tariff’s introduction as perceived by grid companies and householders and find that both groups voice a need to acknowledge the situation of different kinds of end-users. We discuss the results from an energy justice perspective and observe that details in the design of a DSM mechanism may dampen its negative effects.