Handy for everyone: the controlled operation of heat pumps and electric cars.
Image: Green Planet Energy/Christine Lutz
On behalf of Green Energy Cooperative Green Planet Energy, the Enervis consultancy investigated the potential effects of heat pumps and electric cars on electricity prices, CO₂ reductions and the use of renewable energy sources. The study, “flexible use of heat pumps and electric vehicles – analysis of energy -economic benefits”, concludes that targeted operational control, including dynamic electricity rates, can make the energy transfer more affordable and electricity for everyone “
The study analyzes and quantifies the known effects of the use of cars and heat pumps for increased flexibility in the electricity grid. Energy consumption would be deliberately shifted from the usual morning and evening peak hours to afternoon. A statement from Green Planet Energy states that there are no disadvantages for the affected households: “Intelligent checks ensure that the heat pumps preheat, for example, through buffer storage.” For electric cars it is possible to specify the time at which their batteries must be charged.
The study identifies concrete feasible results of such an approach: the number of hours with negative electricity prices can be reduced with an average of 110 per year between 2025 and 2035, with corresponding effects on the profitability of wind and photovoltaic systems. The amount of lost energy due to shutdowns could be reduced by six terawatt hours per year, “and the use of expensive, climate-shading natural gas installations would also decrease.”
These factors would also affect the electricity prices on the stock exchange. According to the study, consumption flexibility can lower the prices of the basic tax with € 3.60 per megawatt hours and peak prices with € 6.20 per megawatt hours, ie 0.36 and 0.62 cents per kilowatt hour respectively. The average spread of the day, ie the difference between the highest and lowest prices, will therefore fall by around € 20 per megawatt hours. The study estimates that CO2 savings are feasible by the reduced use of gas-fired power plants with 0.7 million tonnes per year.
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