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Smart grid versus energy efficiency: Which one first?

Panel: 2. Current energy efficiency policies: On stage and backstage

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Eric Vidalenc, Ademe Hauts de France, France
Laurent Meunier, ADEME, France
Eric Vidalenc, ADEME, France

Abstract

"Smart grid" implementation is supposed to help deal simultaneously with a range of issues: grid management optimisation, peak-hours electricity consumption reduction, renewable energies development valuation and GHG emissions reduction. However, a precise impact assessment of these expected effects -considering different scales (time and location)- is needed to confirm the latter assertion.

Firstly, a review of studies helps clarify the gains one can reasonably expect from “smart grid” implementation in different contexts (low or high carbon average electricity mix, peak and base period, short or/and long run).

Secondly, analysing some uses (bottom-up methodology from daily load curves of uses), evaluation of some impacts concerning the potential reductions of energy, power and GHG is done. The case of France (low carbon emission average factor) is analysed in more details. For example, concerning electrical heating, an evaluation (in terms of MWh, GW, and t CO2) is done considering the household and the shutdown of multiples equipment.

Thirdly, to compare the results with energy efficiency measures, other concrete cases, such as the development of efficient equipment, is evaluated concerning the same uses. The comparison is done in different geographical and time scales to give recommendations about the best options. For instance, if a reduction in GHG emissions can be virtual in some countries with a high emission factor in peak hours, in many other countries with carbon intensive electricity mix in base, the conclusion can be opposite.

Finally, if smart grid can be a good alternative in some contexts, it can not be taken for granted that there is a systematic gain concerning load curve, renewable energies development, and GHG reductions. Moreover, as smart grid optimizes flows of a given system, the achievement of ambitious GHG mitigation targets highly rely on the energy efficiency of this system.

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