Analysing Load Demand in Households

The importance of load demand variation, when analysing energy and environmental impact of residential energy use, is increasing. Load demand in residential houses is a significant contributor to peak load problems experienced by utilities. The knowledge about demand variation in households is limited as well as the use of methodologies to analyse the demand is. Many utilities have recently installed interval (hourly) metering at their residential customers. The availability of this data is a big step forward, however, our experience show that the utilities use this data only to a limited extent, mostly for billing purposes only. This study aims to discuss the ways and benefits of using this valuable end-use data.
There are several established load analysis tools, such as load curve, typical load curve, load duration curve, load factor, superposition factor, etc., which utilities could apply and develop. Among other benefits, the hourly load data analysis can provide the detailed characteristics of load demand in households, define the consumption patterns and can help to identify the main contributors to the utility peaks. This information is essential when developing new energy services, appropriate pricing, load management strategies and demand response programs.
This paper analyses strengths and weaknesses of different analysis tools, the knowledge they could give, how applicable they are and what value they could have for the utility and the customer. The study is exemplified with ten “real world” cases in Southern Sweden, where the households with electric space heating and hot water systems are analysed.