Wendy, 65, one of almost one million participants in an energy-saving program, says, “It’s about preventing blackouts for those who rely on electricity, such as families with young children, the elderly, and the crippled. If it helps them, then it’s all worth it to me.”
According to the National Grid Electricity System Operator’s head of markets, its new energy-saving program “is likely how we will all operate in the future.”
This winter, the new Demand Flexibility Service, which allows consumers to voluntarily reduce their electricity consumption during periods of high demand to prevent blackouts, has been engaged twice.
Claire Dykta, The Grid’s head of markets, referred to it as an effective “insurance policy” for the upcoming months, as well as a demonstration of how the system could adapt as it is increasingly powered by clean, renewable energy, which is more intermittent than the polluting fossil fuels it is replacing.
She stated, “Demand flexibility is likely to be a crucial component of our energy supply mix in the future. And we will all become increasingly accustomed to it.”
“likely how we’ll all work” National Grid
Once we have electric cars and no longer use gas boilers, we will use energy significantly differently compared to the way we do now. The ability of consumers to alter their demand will certainly determine how we all conduct business in the future.
One million UK households, including 65-year-old retired grief counsellor Wendy Hall, use the Demand Flexibility Service.
This time, her energy provider requested that she reduce her usage by at least 20% over the course of one and a half hours.
When we arrived at Wendy’s little, one-story home in Chesterfield, all the lights and appliances were out, and she was wearing a dressing robe for warmth and depending on a wood-burning fire to warm the living room.
She intended to dine and wash her clothing later in the evening to avoid using huge, high-energy-consuming appliances.
She used a battery-powered torch and her phone during the energy-reduction period.
Avoiding power outages for vulnerable individuals who require electricity
The most Wendy has ever saved in a single session is £3.66, however, this is not her primary motivation.
“It is mostly about preventing blackouts for those who rely on electricity, such as families with young children, the elderly, and the disabled. Wendy stated, “If I can only do a tiny bit to help them, then that’s all that matters to me.”
“Money is not my concern; it’s not about that. I’m happy to switch off the power for an hour if it helps others. During the war, people dug for England, improvised, and made do.
The National Grid emphasized that advancements in smart appliances and technology will ultimately make it easier for individuals to utilize electricity more flexibly, hence lowering electricity bills and cutting peak demand.
Ms. Dykta stated, “I think it’s important to be clear that when we discuss this Demand Flexibility Service and what it entails, we’re referring to relocating your energy-intensive appliances – such as your tumble dryer, washing machine, or electric oven – and utilizing them at different times.
“It is not sufficient to turn everything off and sit in the dark.
“The United Kingdom is pursuing a high-renewables green system. We’re further along than many others, so demand flexibility is an important step along the way.”
Intelligent customers taking an active role in the system
But are the majority of British customers prepared to alter their energy use patterns?
Michael Lewis, chief executive officer of E.ON, believes they are.
According to him, the active participation of “smart” consumers in the energy system is crucial for its future.
“I believe people are prepared. They are completely aware that we must abandon fossil fuels.
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated how dependent we are on unstable political regimes. And we need to reach net zero and wean ourselves off variable international prices.
“They are aware that we must assume responsibility for our energy system, which includes individual accountability for energy consumption.”
However, he cautioned that abandoning fossil fuels will take “great national expenditure and enormous national effort.”
We’re replacing obsolete fossil fuel power, gasoline, and heating gas with electricity. Therefore, we must dramatically expand our electricity generation.
“Therefore, we need significantly more renewable energy generation upstream, including both large-scale power such as offshore wind and embedded generation such as solar panels on every roof and more electric vehicle chargers in houses.”
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine
In addition to intensifying efforts to make homes more energy efficient, he stated, “We must consider storage.”
Batteries are fantastic for short-term storage, and as the electric car fleet grows, more battery capacity will be incorporated into the system, but we also need a long-term solution for seasonal storage.
This is likely to be hydrogen, and we must increase the production of green hydrogen to create storage for when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.
As part of its pledge to decarbonize electricity generation in this country by 2035, the government has ambitious plans to increase battery storage, green hydrogen production, and wind power by a factor of five by the end of this decade.
However, other industry experts are concerned that too much reliance is being placed on technologies that. While improving rapidly, are not yet at the required size and cost.
The mid-2020s supply problem is imminent.
Kathryn Porter, an energy expert at the consulting firm Watt Logic, states that the system has performed pretty well this winter, in part because milder weather has lowered the need for gas, which accounted for just under 40% of our electrical output in 2012.
However, she is concerned about the future, specifically the reliance on foreign electricity imports from European allies, particularly France.
She stated, “We are approaching a supply shortage in the middle of this decade.
“The reality is that this is the second time in five years that the French has taken substantial portions of their fleet offline due to systemic problems. Therefore, I believe it is a bit naïve to believe that we can rely on ancient French reactors to bring us out of the crisis.
We have enacted legislation mandating the closure of all coal-fired power plants by October 2024.
“Two of our remaining nuclear power plants are also expected to close in March 2024.”
“Therefore, by the next winter, all of the excess capacity that we currently have will have been consumed.
Therefore, we must replace it. And the only feasible method to achieve this is by constructing gas power plants. Two years is insufficient to accomplish that.”
Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine demonstrates that it is now more necessary than ever to increase the UK’s domestic energy supply to bolster domestic resilience and energy security now and in the future.
The British Energy Security Strategy will “supercharge” nuclear and renewable energy while supporting North Sea oil and gas.
They also stated that billions have been invested until 2028 to make buildings more energy efficient.
