MODEL BASED ESTIMATION OF DEMAND FLEXIBILITY POTENTIAL:A CASE STUDY OF URBAN FEEDER IN INDIA

Abstract

The rapidly evolving energy landscape in India presents both challenges and opportunities for the sustainable management of electricity demand. Demand flexibility (DF) in the residential, and commercial sectors in India is a topic of growing interest. Understanding the potential for demand flexibility in this context is essential for optimizing the utilization of resources, reducing peak load stress on the grid, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. This research presents a new, multidisciplinary approach to investigate technical potential of demand flexibility in residential and commercial sectors in India that combines data analysis, modelling, and socio-economic assessments. Factors such as building typology, building size, income levels, and climate zones are considered to develop a comprehensive framework for demand flexibility strategies tailored to the Indian context. The demand flexibility potential estimated in this research at unit level for residential consumers is found in the range of 150 W to 748 W, and for commercial consumers it ranges from 0.7 kW to 2 kW per consumer. At the feeder level, the aggregated estimated DF potential ranges from 20 kW to 39 kW, which increases to 236 kW with integration of PV and battery into the feeder. The findings of this research reveal significant untapped potential for demand flexibility in buildings (residential and commercial), highlighting the need for advanced technologies, behavioural interventions, and policy incentives in harnessing this potential. Moreover, it underscores the importance of addressing the unique challenges posed by different regions within India, ensuring that demand flexibility initiatives are tailored to local conditions.