RESPOND will deploy and demonstrate an interoperable, cost-effective and user-centered demand response (DR) solution for energy positive neighborhoods.
Nowadays, society must be
sustainable at every level, including
residential buildings. To address this
issue, the European Commission
relies on projects like RESPOND,
which aims to implement the
innovative Demand Response (DR)
programs in residential areas.
The DR concept can be defined as
the intentional modification of normal
consumption patterns by end-use
customers in response to incentives
from electricity grid operators. It is
designed to lower electricity use
at times of high wholesale market
prices or when system reliability
is threatened. Demand response
requires consumers to either actively
respond to signals from the operator
or, in what may be a more appealing
option, to make use of automated
solutions to enter into contracts with
service providers.
You may have heard of the DR
concept in the industrial sector,
where energy demand is high and
cost savings are being sought.
Moreover, this is not the only
significant sector when it comes to
energy demand.
Energy consumption in residential
areas across Europe accounts for
40% of the total Union's energy
demand. That is why the European
Commission has set itself the target
of reducing its energy consumption
by 32.5% in 2030.
This led to projects such as
RESPOND, that follow a long-term
strategy for a Cleaner Planet and a
more sustainable energy system
for all.
The main focus of the project is the
introduction of Active Residential
Demand Management as a tool to
contribute to a more sustainable
society.
And how should we implement Active
Demand Management programs in
residential areas?
The aim is to go beyond the usual
energy management protocols in
residential areas and achieve a
sustainable energy system in the long
term. Although the implementation of
Demand Response in the residential
sector is still in its early stages, there
is an enormous untapped potential.
This will lead to better operational
energy management, a change in
consumer behavior and savings
improvement.
Through the implementation of
Demand Response programs, a
number of initiatives that give
energy consumers the opportunity
to intentionally change their
consumption habits can be
promoted. This change in consumer
behavior may be the result of energy
price variation during peak demand.
As for the RESPOND Project, what
exactly will the implementation of
Demand Response in residential
areas mean?
- Implementing cooperative demand management to maximize the use of common energy resources.
- Improve building occupants' commitment to energy demand and consumption.
- Improve the comfort of building occupants, reducing energy consumption.
- And ensuring system integration and interoperability.
That will result in energy and cost
savings for stakeholders along the
entire energy supply chain, and,
if combined with local renewable
energy production and storage, it will
also lead to a significant reduction
in peak demands, resulting in energy
and cost savings for electricity grid
operators.
Contact details:
Andreu Pagès
R&D Project Manager at DEXMA
Email: apages@dexma.com
Website: http://project-respond.eu
Under Grant Agreement Nº: 768619