Analys av implementerad effektavgift och dess inverkan på lokal elnätbelastning : En fallstudie av Falu Energi och Vatten AB:s effektavgift

Sammanfattning

The Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate (Ei) highlights the potential for demand response among household consumers, who are regarded as an underutilized resource. By contributing to the reduction of peak loads in the power system, these consumers can contribute to a more efficient utilization of the electricity grid, thereby facilitating the green energy transition and reducing societal energy costs. By using power tariffs as an instrument, distribution system operators can create incentives that signal when capacity constraints arise in the grid. However, there is a need for more in-depth knowledge of how household consumers respond to demand response and how such tariffs should be designed. Although power tariffs are theoretically expected to increase flexibility, uncertainty remains regarding how they are perceived, understood and implemented in practice by household consumers. The aim of this study was to analyze how a power tariff affects power demand in a local electricity grid, as well as to examine household consumers’ understanding of the principles of such tariff and their relationship to electricity consumption behavior. The study was conducted as a case study, with Falu Energi och Vatten AB (FEV) serving as the case. A mixed methods approach was used, in which both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through an interview, a survey and the analysis of power data. The results and discussion of the study indicate that the introduction of FEV’s power tariff has contributed to initiating demand response, thereby reducing power demand in the local electricity grid. The household consumers demonstrated a relatively high level of knowledge regarding power tariff and electricity consumption behavior. However, there remains potential for further optimization of flexibility, particularly in relation to heating systems. The study also shows that FEV’s tariff model is adapted to local conditions and regulatory requirements and facilitates load shifting through appropriate time differentiation. Overall, the findings suggest that power tariff can serve as an instrument for demand response and enable a more efficient utilization of the existing electricity grid.