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Remote work might unlock solar PV's potential of cracking the 'Duck Curve'

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Kumar Biswajit DebnathORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

Integrating renewable energy technologies into a decentralised smart grid presents the ‘Duck Curve’ challenge — the disparity between peak demand and solar photovoltaic (PV) yield. Smart grid operators still lack an effective solution to this problem, resulting in the need to maintain standby fossil fuel-fired plants. The COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns necessitated a shift to remote work (work-from-home) and home-based education. The primary objective of this study was to explore mitigating strategies for the duck curve challenge by investigating this notable shift in behaviour by examining the effect of remote work and education on grid and decentralised solar PV electricity use in 100 households with battery energy storage in the southwest of the UK. This study examined 1-min granular grid electricity and decentralised solar energy consumption data for April–August 2019 and 2020. The findings revealed statistically significant disparities in energy demand. Notably, there was a 1.4—10% decrease in average electricity consumption from April to August 2020 (during and following the lockdown) compared to the corresponding months of 2019. Furthermore, household grid electricity consumption was reduced by 24—25%, while self-consumption from solar PV systems increased by 7—8% during the lockdown in April and May 2020 compared to 2019. This increase in self-consumption was particularly prominent in the morning and afternoon, possibly attributed to the growing prevalence of work-from-home and home-based education. The dynamic shifts in energy consumption patterns emphasised the role of decentralised solar PV energy in meeting the evolving needs of households during unprecedented societal changes. Additionally, remote work might unlock decentralised solar PV's potential in resolving the ‘Duck Curve’, urging further investigation into the implications for energy infrastructure and policy development.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Debnath KB, Jenkins DP, Patidar S, Peacock AD

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Applied Energy

Year: 2024

Volume: 367

Print publication date: 01/08/2024

Online publication date: 16/05/2024

Acceptance date: 01/05/2024

Date deposited: 17/05/2024

ISSN (print): 0306-2619

ISSN (electronic): 1872-9118

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.123378

DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.123378

Data Access Statement: The authors do not have permission to share data.


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
133917
EP/R008655/1
EPSRC
Indian Department of Science and Technology
Innovate UK, UKRI

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