Investigating UK consumers’ heterogeneous engagement in demand-side response

Abstract

Demand-side response (DSR), the incentivised time-shifting of energy use by consumers away from peak times, is regarded as a potentially effective measure to balance electricity supply and demand. This will be even more important in the low-carbon energy system of the future, with a high share of nondispatchable power, such as variable renewable energy and nuclear power. Most DSR programmes require consumers' active engagement in shifting end-use activities. Previous studies have, however, rarely revealed sociodemographic factors influential for consumers' willingness-to-shift specific end-use activities. This study thus aims to fill this research gap and, using a multinomial logistic model to analyse a nationwide survey, identify factors influential for DSR-related decisions. The nationwide survey for 1004 respondents was carried out to collect data about consumers' willingness-to-shift their daily activities. We focused on the activities that constitute the major part of domestic energy consumption, i.e. cooking, dish-washing, entertainment, heating, laundry and showering. According to the results, consumers' original timing of the end-use activities, sociodemographic factors, ownership of specific appliances and level of concern for energy-saving are influential for their willingness-to-shift activities. These findings can not only help policymakers make more targeted DSR promotion plans but also help to improve broader modelling tools to better consider consumers' willingness-to-shift their demand.

Assessing local costs and impacts of distributed solar PV using high resolution data from across Great Britain

“…In order to consider the possible role DSR could play in reducing grid impact of PV at a local level, two hypothetical DSR scenarios are considered based upon between 50% (DSR50) and 100% (DSR100) of households participating in DSR measures (smart dishwasher, washing machine, and tumble drier) by 2030 (Figure 3d). A recent nationwide survey indicates that around 50% of the UK population would be willing to shift times of dishwashing and laundry, indicating that the first of these scenarios could be achievable without substantial changes in attitudes (56). Modelled impacts of these measures on power demand are as described in references (57,58).…”

A Systematic Literature Review of the Interplay between Renewable Energy Systems and Occupant Practices

“…Referring to socio-psychological theories, the psychological barriers to behavior change include: action inertia, social norms, emotion, perceived behavioral control, delay discounting and habit [64]. Additionally, socio-demographic factors such as, age, gender, location, education, household size, income and working situation can limit an individual's ability to change [47,70,150]. This reiterates the complexity of the way individuals live and make decisions.…”

“…The study showed Danish households were restricted by institutional rhythms while Pakistani households had a different administrative set up involving household staff compared to the typical nuclear families in Denmark [68]. Domestic cleaning practices have been targeted by research in assessing the flexibility of such practices within the household [70]. These practices include using the dishwasher and washing machine, a practice which involves a technological medium and is potentially highly flexible [105].…”

Operation Simulation and Economic Analysis of Household Hybrid PV and BESS Systems in the Improved TOU Mode

“…The TOU policy is set based on the supply and demand relationship of the load. In fact, the TOU effect is closely related to consumers' willingness to participate actively [21]. The activities of household energy consumption mainly include cooking, dishwashing, laundry, heating, and bathing.…”