In the quest for carbon neutrality, China is turning to an unexpected ally: demand-side flexible resources (DSFR). A groundbreaking study led by Hongyi Wei from Tsinghua University’s Department of Electrical Engineering in Beijing sheds light on how these resources could revolutionize China’s power system and accelerate its transition to a low-carbon future.
Imagine a world where electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen production aren’t just consumers of energy, but active participants in the power grid. This is the vision that Wei and his team are exploring. By incorporating DSFR, which include flexible EV charging and power-to-hydrogen load, China could reduce the costs of its carbon neutrality transition by approximately 20%.
“We find that flexible electric vehicle charging and power-to-hydrogen load contribute the most to flexible load demands among DSFR,” Wei explains. “This not only assists in regional power balancing but also aids in accommodating more renewable energy sources.”
The implications for the energy sector are profound. By substituting costly energy storage and flexible generation units with these diversified low-carbon demand resources, China could see a significant reduction in transition costs. Moreover, it could mitigate the lock-in of thermal units in the medium term, a critical factor in reducing carbon emissions.
The study, published in the journal ‘iScience’, also highlights the potential of demand response resources. These resources, which can adjust their electricity usage in response to signals from the grid, could reduce the need for expensive power reserve resources. In fact, the research suggests that by 2060, the need for gas generation could be reduced by 42%.
But the benefits don’t stop at cost reduction. The incorporation of DSFR could also lead to a more resilient and flexible power system. This is particularly important as China, and indeed the world, moves towards a future dominated by renewable energy sources. The variability of these sources means that the power system needs to be more adaptable than ever before.
Wei’s research also underscores the importance of load demand potentials. These potentials, which refer to the ability of demand-side resources to adjust their electricity usage, could have a significant impact on transition costs and system morphology development. In particular, flexible power-to-hydrogen load demands could play a crucial role.
As China continues its journey towards carbon neutrality, the insights from this study could shape future developments in the energy sector. For energy professionals, the message is clear: the future of the power system lies not just in generation, but also in demand. By harnessing the potential of demand-side flexible resources, we can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future and create a more resilient and flexible power system.
