Flexibility potential to reduce the peak load of small- and medium-sized enterprises

Abstract

Due to the energy transition, Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Heat Pumps (HPs) are penetrating the distribution network, which leads to an increase in (peak) demand. Additionally, the energy transition is also causing an increasing share of solar PV into the distribution network. Therefore, time-consuming and expensive network reinforcements become necessary to prevent network congestions if no alternatives are available. Two of these alternatives considered in this paper are Demand-Side Management (DSM) to unlock flexibility on the demand side and Electrical Energy Storage (EES). First, this paper introduces a method to synthesize the load profile of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) if EVs, HPs or solar PV are included. Finally, a theoretical method is introduced to quantify the flexibility provided by EVs and HPs to reduce the peak load and a theoretical method to quantify the impact of home batteries to reduce the peak load. The methods are used for a case study as part of the Dutch pilot project ‘Community-flex Bedrijvenpark Zuidoost’ in the city of Groningen.