Methodology to determine residential heating-based flexibility potential in electricity distribution networks

Abstract

Demand response will be a valid tool to operate an electrical power system. A form of demand response is heating-based load control, which constitutes a significant proportion of households’ demand response potential. In this paper, the heating-based demand response is considered to provide flexibility for the operation of electricity distribution networks. The aim of the paper is to present a methodology to analyze the flexibility potential of the electric heating systems of residential electricity end-users to affect loading in electricity distribution networks. The methodology provides, with broad background information of buildings, electricity use, and electricity networks, an analysis of the effects of flexible heating loads on electricity distribution networks. The presented methodology is tested with verification data from a sparsely populated area in Finland. The verification analyses demonstrate the benefits and challenges of flexibility at the component level in an electricity distribution network. • Methodology to evaluate flexibility of residential electric heating without effect on comfort of living. • Assessment of effects of flexible electric heating on electricity distribution system. • Combination of large amount of electricity consumption data, building data, and electricity distribution network data for the verification analysis. • Hourly model to assess the effects on the electricity distribution system in the utility scale.