The load profile of every country has peaks and valleys. The peak of a daily load profile also represents the high cost, and the valley represents the lower cost, also known as the base load.
What makes the cost high is the high demand, the use of diesel engines and gas turbines utilizing expensive fuel (oil is used when gas is not enough), and the low efficiency technologies like solar. The intermittency also of renewable energy technologies requires the use of these peaking plants that can flexibly start, stop and change load fast. If the peak demand can be reduced, it follows that costs will then be reduced.
Coal is commonly used as base load plant because it is not flexible but the fuel is cheap. So there goes the conflict with global warming. Geothermal, wind and water power generation technologies are limited by location, with the latter two themselves affected also by climate change. Nuclear power still has its political and social issues.
Now, let's try to make things simple...
So how do we change the graph to our advantage?
1. Intensify energy efficiency
This will lower current overall energy demand with much less investment requirements. We can accomplish this through stricter regulations and education, so that even children can participate in the campaign.Controls can also be imposed for demand side management.
2. Storage
Pumped hydro storage takes advantage of the lower cost of electricity during off peak periods by acting as a pump to store water at high elevations, then act as a turbine during peak periods, making it price competitive with diesel engines. Electricity for batteries, hydrogen, compressed air and methane can be produced from intermittent excess power generation by solar and wind energy.
3. Self-generating facilities
Incentives must be given by the government to companies generating power for their own internal consumption. Firstly, they operate off the grid, reducing even the base demand. Secondly, their excess capacity can be exported during peak periods, as long as they are not using expensive fuels like diesel. So the effect is two-way. This will also help encourage small players to invest in power generation, so we don't have to wait for the big investors take action.
4. Encourage night life
This may entail health issues, but this will be helpful in demand shifting. Off peak periods generally fall in late evening. Time-of-use (TOU) rates will make households do some chores like washing clothes in the evening when price of electricity is cheaper. Some companies can do their operation at nighttime if energy costs will be attractive.
5. Electric vehicles
Although this one will rather increase overall demand, but it will encourage putting up cheaper base load plants, instead of each vehicle individually using liquid fuels, which is less efficient on a bigger picture and thus more polluting. so the curve will still flatten with the rise of the "valleys". With a smart grid, cars can export their battery charge especially during emergency situation when the electric grid is on yellow or red alert.
6. Bicycle-friendly roads
Government must improve public transportation and road safety to encourage citizens not to opt for private automobiles. This will dampen the effect of the increase in electric vehicles in base load power generation, in addition to mass transportation means like trains.
I will not consider the politics involved as I am only concerned on the engineering aspect. If you still got more ideas on how we can address energy poverty, please comment below.
The above post is brought to you by Jezreel Magbanua, who enjoys helping people MAKING things SIMPLE. Click here to get to know Jezreel Magbanua better.
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