Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the reduction of electricity demand and the integration of renewable energy into the power grid

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative influence on energy consumption in 2020. On April 7, 2020, in response to the rapid spread of the infection, the Japanese government imposed a state of emergency. This action impacted energy consumption, energy production, and electricity prices. This study compares the impact of a reduction in load demand on renewable energy in the Japan public power grid under a state of emergency declaration (April to May 2020). Using publicly available data, comparisons are made for Kyushu, Tokyo, Kansai, and Hokkaido and assessed in relation to epidemic severity and geographical distribution. The results can be summarized as follows. (1) The consumption profiles and amounts of power consumption reduction are different in different areas. Tokyo shows the largest share of reduced load, followed by Kansai, Kyushu, and Hokkaido. The load reduction was mainly seen during the day, which reflects the differences in people's activities relative to the same period in 2019. (2) Different means of power dispatch, including power generators, energy storage systems, and transmission lines are used and compared in terms of responses to the changes in electricity consumption profile. (3) The overall fall in total load demand and the change in load sequence affected the integration and curtailment of photovoltaic power generation and consequentially caused the electricity price to drop. This paper clarifies the effects of COVID-19 on the public power grids of Japan. Further, it establishes the impact on policymakers in relation to the development of renewable energy.

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