Anexos
10. DISCUSIÓN
The deployment of more advanced metering management systems is based on a stronger communication link between the meter and the control centre and between the meter and the user: it represents the means of the Demand Participation features, for which the user, having access at his dynamic load profile and to other information on the network and market conditions, can modify his consumption in order to contribute either to the reliability and/or security of the electric system (system led programs), or can be motivated by price signals coming from the electricity market (market led programs). AMI can normally allow:
Time-based pricing
Consumption data for consumer and utility
Net metering
Loss of power (and restoration) notification
Remote turn on / turn off operations
Load limiting for “bad pay” or demand response purposes
Energy prepayment
Power quality monitoring
Tamper and energy theft detection
Communications with other intelligent devices in the home
Setting up an advanced metering infrastructure requires investments in proportion to the features that the system allows: this concept is expressed in Figure 24 showing the progressive investments increase, when the functionalities and flexibility offered by the electronic meters progress from basic AMR to a fully deployed AMI. Recent studies show that, depending upon the specific network system conditions, the cost per measuring point of AMI (including the communication infrastructure and the automatic meter management system) ranges from 80 € to 150 €, as shown in the following table:
Country AMI cost per point [€]
Italy 100
The Netherlands 150
Canada 100 US 95-115 UK 107
A.M.R
QUALITATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SMART METERING FUNCTIONALITY AND INVESTMENTS
Source: Author's elaboration.
In case of progressive roll-out of an advanced metering infrastructure, priorities should be given to system areas (possibly regions, quarters or clusters) where:
users show consumption levels higher than the system average (statistically, the consumption should be at least one standard deviation higher that the average). These users are characterized by a higher consumption flexibility in comparison to lower consumption users having only basic energy needs;
users show a monthly variability in their consumption profile higher than the system average (statistically, the consumption variability should be at least one standard deviation higher that the average). Users showing this high variability above their minimum may have a higher consumption flexibility, on which to leverage for demand-participation purposes, as will be seen next.
Demand-participation (or demand response: DR): AMI paves the way to demand-participation, i.e.
situations where the users may have some flexibility in how and when they use electricity. This means that given both the ability to easily manage their electricity use and information about its value, they can be willing to change that usage. Some part of their consumption can be shifted in time or simply suppressed. Typical flexible loads include space heating, water heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, electric vehicles charging etc. The users become an integral and active part of the overall electric power system by helping to balance electrical demand with supply. Achieving demand-participation implies the availability by the user of key information (e.g. Real time prices, function of the availability of energy in the system, level of energy consumption, load profiles etc) which be used to implement informed energy efficiency actions. Theoretically, being almost all electricity consumption flexible, the potential for demand response and energy efficiency is huge.
The load flexibility can be achieved through contractual or service agreements based on the voluntary adhesion of the users to specific programs. In practical terms the user accepts to:
System Led programs request actions that are authoritatively carried on by the system operator (or by the local distributor) in the sphere of his responsibility of the system security. Therefore these actions are mandatory for the participants, after they have subscribed the program, fast and often automated. The very short reaction time required
is generally not compatible with market operation, thus the compensation for the service provided by interruptible loads (that can be compared to reserve power plants) is most of the times determined through regulatory provisions and collected from the entire users community by means of a bill component. As an example, in Italy, the Interruptible Service correspond exactly to this scheme. This kind of programs is active also in vertically integrated electric system, because they are functional to the system security.
In Market Led programs the users respond to price signals (in the form of real time prices, structured tariffs, or contractual agreements) in a time interval compatible with the hourly price broadcasting and consumption planning, i.e. in the order of hours or even days. Here the user’s action is always voluntary, only depending on the individual sensitivity to the price level.
The Figure 25 represents a portion of a distribution system in a residential area, equipped with AMI: in this situation, both the power and the information flow are fully bi-directional, relying on technologies that allow information flows over wider bandwidth, characterized by the possibility to transfer higher amounts of data at higher speeds, thus paving the way, not only to the remote measurement of the energy consumption (upwards information flow) but also to the delivery to the user of signals related to system and market conditions (downwards information flow), which is the key for the implementation of demand-participation and empowering of the user, giving him the possibility to shape his power consumption based on dynamic tariffs and to act consciously towards energy conservation behavior.
FIGURE 25
EXAMPLE OF A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH AMI
Source: Author's elaboration.
Source: Author’s elaboration.
BOX 8
R&D BEST PRACTICE: THE ADDRESS PROJECT
Contrary to DG and large industrial customers, domestic customers are not motivated by purely economic considerations. Moreover, they are not able (e.g. due to the lack of appropriate equipment) or not prone to characterize precisely in advance the services and flexibilities that they can provide.
Domestic consumers are not likely to “offer” services. Therefore, the services they can provide will be “requested” through the developed price and/or volume signal mechanisms and will be provided on a voluntary and contractual basis.
To support this approach on the consumer side, both appropriate technologies have to be developed in the houses or at the interface with the aggregator, and relevant accompanying measures have to be studied to deal with societal, cultural and behavioral factors. ADDRESS studies, develops and validates solutions to enable active demand and exploit its benefits. To enable active demand ADDRESS:
• Develops technical solutions both at the consumers premises and the power system level
• Identifies the possible barriers against active demand development and develop recommendations and solutions to remove these barriers considering economic, regulatory, societal and cultural aspects
To exploit the benefits of active demand ADDRESS:
• Identifies the potential benefits for the different power system participants
• Develops appropriate markets and contractual mechanisms to manage the new scenarios
• Studies and proposes accompanying measures to deal with societal, cultural and behavioral aspects
The proposed solutions will be validated in 3 complementary test sites with different geographical and demographic characteristics and different infrastructure mixes. Sites will be selected in Spain, Italy and France to meet these diversity requirements and to provide a representative realization of the ADDRESS architecture.
Source: Author’s elaboration.