Demand Side Management in Baden-Württemberg

Power on: Demand Side Management.

The challenge was as follows:

The share of renewable energy in the energy mix in Germany exceeded the 30% mark in 2015, and is expected to continue to rise. Due to this, electricity generation would be affected more strongly by fluctuations in the generation of electricity in future. Hence, it is important that flexibility options are researched and tested so as to ensure that the security of supply in Germany continues to remain high. The flexible activation of individual electricity-consuming processes by large-scale consumers is a flexibility option with great potential. Such activation mechanisms are also known as demand side management (DSM). It is important that its use is determined based on competitive price signals, so that the markets which develop are as cost-efficient as possible. Currently, large-scale consumers such as industrial companies are able to offer their flexibility in the market sectors of reserve power, intraday trading, as well as in the context of Load Shedding Ordinance (AbLaV). However, despite various studies on the topic, it is still unclear how much DSM flexibility can be used in the coming years, and at what price.

the benefits:

Small-scale success is the key to large-scale changes. All participants were able to develop a better understanding of the specific challenges of DSM marketing. In this case, the potential for profits may be an important factor, but it is definitely not the only one. The technical suitability of the processes is also important, but particularly crucial is also the willingness in the company to grapple with the complex topic of DSM. When DSM is understood as an innovative possibility and as a component of a future, more strategically aligned energy management system, this is when the possibility for marketing and the positive perception and use of marketing experience is at its highest. However, the starting conditions are different for each company, such that time will definitely be required for widespread use of DSM, and continuous market development will be necessary.