Effects on the grid, on the environment, and on the market

The potential impacts of the DEMAND system on the grid, on CO2 emissions and on the electricity market have been assessed in different scenarios, taking into account the algorithms, the DR programs that can be implemented, economic aspects, and the comfort. The results show how the aggregation of flexible resources through the VAE is able to return significant advantages in terms of reducing grid peaks, energy losses, voltage drops, and CO2 emissions. Furthermore, in some cases, significant deferrals over time can be obtained in investments for the upgrading of networks, in the presence of networks operating close to their technical limits.
A first immediate positive impact of the DEMAND system is in the reduction of CO2 emissions, with a benefit not only of the DEMAND participants but of all members of the community. The reduction of climate-altering emissions can be translated into economic savings for the entire community.
A second positive impact is found in the possibility of influencing prices both in the MGP and in the MSD with an immediate economic return for DEMAND participants or, possibly, for the entire community.
Furthermore, the possibility of using DEMAND to solve the problem of reversing the power flow in HV / MV stations in critical areas makes it possible to increase the share of renewable that can be installed. For users of the electrical system this means:
• possibility of building renewable source plants in their homes / businesses with a consequent increase in the energy class of the property and reduction of costs for energy supply;
• lower times and costs for grid connections, especially for large producers with connection to the MV and HV distribution grid.
Finally, the reduction of DSO costs thanks to reduction of losses, resolution of network congestion, deferral of upgrading works, etc. A gain for the DSO can result in a reduction in costs for the entire collectivity.