With the vision of becoming more and more fossil fuel independent, the growing share of renewables and the associated increased complexity of the energy system, the topic of demand flexibility inevitably arises.
According to EMSA, Demand Side Flexibility (DSF) for electric motor-driven systems refers to the ability of motor-driven processes to dynamically adjust electricity consumption in response to grid conditions, market signals, or the specific electricity usage patterns of the industry they serve.
Enabled by technologies such as Variable Speed Drives (VSDs), smart controls, and process optimisation, motor systems can reduce demand during supply shortages, increase consumption when renewable energy is abundant, and provide essential grid services like frequency regulation and peak shaving. This flexibility depends on seamless coordination among key DSF actors, including industrial operators, aggregators, grid operators and technology providers, making motor-driven systems critical for integrating variable renewable energy and maintaining grid stability in a decarbonised energy system.
In the figure, the terminology within EMSA is used as follow[1]:
- Demand side management: demand side management is the direct influencing of the power consumption of an end user by the grid operator or other actors without the end user’s consent in the specific individual case. The consumption is influenced by control impulses from a central authority. Control sovereignty therefore does not lie with the end user but, for example, with the grid operator or the supplier.
- Demand (side) response: demand side response refers to the influencing of end user behaviour by means of mostly monetary incentives (e.g. time-dependent tariff). The prerequisite for a functioning demand side response is a reaction on the part of the end user (price elasticity). The end user receives price signals from a central authority (e.g. energy supplier, distribution grid operator, aggregator) and can react to them. Control sovereignty therefore lies with the end user.
EMSA is specifically investigating the demand flexibility in electric motor systems and the following questions:
- What is the potential?
- What are main barriers hindering a demand flexible operation of motor systems?
- What are most suitable applications, sectors?
- Are there good examples to learn from?
- Are there any recommendations for policy makers?
For more details, download the project brief below.
[1] Adapted based on Association of Swiss electric utilities, https://www.strom.ch/sites/default/files/media/documents/Basiswissen-Dokument%20-%20Flexibilit%C3%A4ten.pdf, 2016.
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