Funding entity Catalyse Europe
Participated by Imperial College London
The aim of this study is to demonstrate, with quantitative evidence, that it is possible to accelerate the decarbonization of the economy by increasing electricity demand, and it is expected to have a lower cost impact on consumers, through a more intensive use of existing grid assets via flexibility mechanisms. The thesis is that this combination produces a virtuous circle: more flexible demand allows the cost for the consumer to be maintained or reduced, which in turn accelerates electrification, which reduces emissions, which sustains renewable investment, which allows greater flexibility of demand to maintain or reduce the cost for the consumer, which in turn accelerates electrification, reduces emissions, sustains renewable investment and puts downward pressure on the cost again. It is the only realistic way to achieve the European climate targets in the committed timetable. And Europe, which has the best networks and the best professionals in the sector worldwide, must lead this process and offer it as a globally replicable model.
More precisely, the study has to main pillars, the first one aims to quantify the benefits of demand flexibility on key performance indicators resulting from the system modeling, in particular:
1. Increased of connected demand and storage in the network
2. Costs for consumers resulting from the wholesale energy prices, network tariffs, regulated charges, and applicable taxes
3. Emissions reductions with respect to a baseline based on current energy usages
The quantitative work developed by Comillas focuses on Spain as a pilot case, but its ultimate purpose is to serve as a methodological basis for a similar study on a European scale at a later stage. The methodology is discussed with an European partner that can apply it to other countries. One candidate would be Imperial College, which has participated in a EU-wide assessment .
In the second pillar, in parallel to the quantitative study, a qualitative assessment describe different mechanisms for acquiring flexibility in the countries analysed: local flexibility markets , flexible connection agreements, dynamic network tariffs and bilateral contracts.
Layman's summary: Study on how electricity demand flexibility can accelerate electrification, reduce emissions, and keep costs low for consumers, by making better use of existing distribution networks.
Techniques employed: Optimization, heuristics
2026_Catalyse_Flex
