Prosumage of solar electricity: pros, cons, and the system perspective

Abstract

Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen:Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden.Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen.Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. Terms of use: Documents in January 2017Abstract: We examine the role of prosumage of solar electricity, i.e. PV self-generation combined with distributed storage, in the context of the low-carbon energy transformation. First, we devise a qualitative account of arguments in favor of and against prosumage. Second, we give an overview of prosumage in Germany. Prosumage will likely gain momentum as support payments expire for an increasing share of PV capacities after 2020. Third, we model possible system effects in a German 2035 scenario. Prosumage batteries allow for a notable substitution of other storage facilities only if fully available for market interactions. System-friendly operation would also help limiting cost increases. We conclude that policymakers should not unnecessarily restrict prosumage, but consider system and distributional aspects.

Organizing prosumers into electricity trading communities: Costs to attain electricity transfer limitations and self‐sufficiency goals

“…3,7,8 If they increase in number, individual residential prosumers who are striving for self-sufficiency could be highly disruptive to the current centralized electricity system, as pointed out by Agnew and Dargusch. 9 A model-based investigation of the impacts on the electricity system of residential solar and storage systems in Germany has been reported by Schill et al, 10 in which they highlight the importance of system-oriented design and operation of prosumer PV battery systems.…”

A study of residential solar power and battery energy storage adoption dynamics

“…However as this reduction is based on PV generated during daylight hours, and not peak times, it actually reflects a real reduction in network costs of only $80, meaning that consumers without PV must meet the $120 difference by paying higher network charges (AER 2015c). Given that PV and battery uptake initially at least will most likely be adopted by wealthier demographics, this could see a potentially regressive effect, whereby lower socio-economic households are locked into a cycle of everincreasing electricity bills as they become financially responsible for maintaining an under used, capital-intensive electricity network (CSIRO 2013a;Schill, Zerrahn & Kunz 2017).…”

“…To demonstrate, a stylised example of two possible charging/discharging regimes is shown in Figure 15. The graph on the left does not have system-oriented charging, which means as soon as the battery is full, it would impose a steeper gradient of PV feed-in back to the grid which could require costly, short-term system flexibility measures to be installed on the network (Schill, Zerrahn & Kunz 2017). At the same time, the battery's ability to soak up and reduce PV intermittency during the day, or to minimise system exports during periods of already low grid demand, are constrained.…”

“…Source: (Schill, Zerrahn & Kunz 2017) Figure 15 Dwelling load, generation and storage profile under non-system oriented charging (left) and systemorientated charging (right)…”

“…In recent years, studies have begun to examine the possibilities for grid-connected applications and interactions with the network ( In the past decade, the number of techno-economic studies has also increased, examining issues associated with battery system costs, the influence of subsidies such as feed-in tariffs, and the impact of adoption on electricity prices (Ru, Kleissl & Martinez 2013;Bruch & Müller 2014;Hoppmann et al 2014;Mundada, Shah & Pearce 2016). Many techno-economic studies also look to quantify the benefit from PV and storage based on maximising self-consumption as the primary value proposition or by leveraging incentives deriving from other network benefits (Mulder et al 2013;Luthander et al 2015;Fares & Webber 2017;Schill, Zerrahn & Kunz 2017). Furthermore, several studies consider ways to use batteries to minimise residential electricity costs through time shifting while attempting to achieve broader network objectives (Hubert & Grijalva 2012;Nottrott, Kleissl & Washom 2013;Ru, Kleissl & Martinez 2013).…”