Loadshift

Klima- und Energiefonds, Neue Energien 2020, 5. Ausschreibung

E-Werk Stubenberg registrierte Genossenschaft mit beschränkter Haftung

e7 Energie Markt Analyse GmbH

JOHANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH

Technische Universität Graz Institut für Elektrische Anlagen

Sonnenplatz Großschönau GmbH

Stadtwerke Hartberg Verwaltungs Gesellschaft m.b.H.

4ward Energy Research GmbH

In order to attain a sustainable energy system, the topic “load shift” gains more and more importance. During the last years, the technological feasibilities improved drastically due to intelligent net infrastructure like smart grids. With the help of smart metering systems, it is possible today to adjust consumption and production patterns. The project LoadShift deals with the thus generated enormous potential as to load shifts.

During the period of the project static methods for load shifts (e.g. night storage heating, which converts hardly storable electricity into thermal energy) prevailed among certain customer groups. This approach of transforming low-grade energy as a means of static load shifts was no longer desirable in times of intensive energy efficiency efforts. Thus, the aim of LoadShift was to highlight approaches concerning load shifts that efficiently use primary energy. Furthermore, the sectors households, industrial and commercial businesses and municipal infrastructure entities were evaluated by the help of case studies. To this end, the underlying interdisciplinary research project focused on technical potentials of the energy forms electricity, heating, cooling as well as (waste) water.

From a methodological point of view, sufficient data and information were accumulated, in order to assess load shift efforts contributing to reach energy political goals. The technical analysis of potential load shifts in Austria was based on a four-step-approach, that built on the tools, skills and know-how elaborated in previous and current projects (e.g. Demand Response – Shifting Energy Loads, IRON, GAVE). Using bottom-up (households, public utility providers) as well as top-down perspectives (industrial and commercial businesses), energy relevant data was compiled. This enabled the development of optimised cost curves, which then could be interpreted. Finally, legal aspects of load shifts were analysed. The methodological approach allowed in the following to draft clear recommendations for action for decision makers concerning the most effective way to use potentials and the overall significance of load shifts as compared to other solutions (e.g. storage).

The project LoadShift aimed at finding primary energy efficient approaches as to load shifts by analysing case studies. The proposed integrated approach took the four major consumer groups (households, industrial and commercial businesses, public infrastructure entities) as well as different energy forms (electricity, heating, cooling and waste water) into consideration. In the end, a decision matrix was designed, from which recommendations for action for public and private decision makers from politics (including the regulatory authorities) and the economy concerning the increase in energy efficiency of the Austrian energy system were derived.

Final Resport in German