Flexibility in electricity consumption is becoming a major issue for reducing bills and optimizing the network. Faced with the rise of renewable energies, particularly solar, it is necessary to adapt our consumption habits. Let's find out how off-peak hours, demand response and automation can help us control our energy costs.
The benefits of energy flexibility
Energy flexibility consists of adjust your electricity consumption depending on production and demand periods. This approach offers numerous benefits:
- Reduced costs for consumers
- Optimization of the electricity network
- Reduction in environmental impact
- Better integration of renewable energies
According to Electricity Transport Network (RTE), this flexibility can be implemented without loss of comfort or additional effort for users. It is based on the intelligent shift from the most energy-intensive uses to periods when electricity is cheaper and more abundant.
By 2030, these practices could cover nearly 50% of the electrical system modulation needs. In addition, they would make it possible to reduce the capping of renewable energies by 75%, thus avoiding up to 3 billion euros in spending on expensive storage solutions.
Technologies and automation for energy saving
To facilitate the implementation of this flexibility, accessible technological solutions are rapidly developing:
In the tertiary sector, automatic control equipment for electrical uses is becoming essential and obligatory. By 2027, all new and existing buildings must be equipped with them. The goal is to reach 100,000 units installed by 2030, compared to only 25,500 in 2023.
For individuals, home energy management systems (HEMS) are gaining ground. Currently, only 3% of households are equipped with them, but this figure could reach 17% by 2030. These intelligent devices make it possible to:
- Shift domestic hot water production
- Optimizing electric vehicle charging
- Adjust heating according to rates
- Schedule wash cycles at the most convenient times
Economic impact of energy flexibility
Energy flexibility offers significant financial benefits for both consumers and electricity producers:
| Pays | Price difference between peak consumption and peak solar |
|---|---|
| France | 34% (working days) to 85% (weekends) |
| Spain, Germany, Netherlands | 60 €/MWh |
| Australia | 250 €/MWh |
These price differences represent a opportunity for substantial savings for flexible consumers. By adapting their consumption to times when electricity is cheaper, they can significantly reduce their energy bill.
On the producers' side, flexibility makes it possible to better manage periods of energy surplus. The number of hours where prices are negative has exploded, from 27 hours in 2019 to 322 hours between January and August 2024. The erasure and shift of consumption makes it possible to limit the capping of renewable energiesthus optimizing production and reducing losses.
Towards a new era of electricity consumption
To take full advantage of this energy revolution, several actions are necessary:
- Raise public awareness of the benefits of energy flexibility
- Encourage the adoption of smart energy management technologies
- Adapt prices to more accurately reflect variations in production and demand
- Develop financial incentives for flexible consumers
The transition to more flexible electricity consumption represents a collective challenge. It requires the active participation of consumers, industrialists and public authorities. By adopting these new practices, we will not only be able to reduce our electricity bills, but also contribute to a more sustainable and resilient energy system.
Thus, the future of our electricity consumption rests on our ability to embrace this flexibility. By combining off-peak hours, erasure and automationwe are paving the way for a more intelligent and economical use of electricity, beneficial for our wallet and for the planet.
