Estimating the Load Balancing Potential of Households in the UK

Using hourly data on household energy use and local weather in combination with household and property characteristics, we develop a methodology for identifying the extent to which hourly household-level electricity and gas consumption can be shifted over time, which provides a measure of the “load balancing” potential of households. We provide descriptive evidence on how this potential varies by time of day, season, income and location. Our methodology can be used by policymakers and energy system planners to inform the design of demand response programmes.

Biography:

Dr Shefali Khanna’s research interests lie in energy and environmental economics and policy. Her current research focuses on understanding the drivers of energy demand in the residential and industrial sectors and on evaluating the design and impact of climate policies. She earned a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Harvard University, where she was a Pre-Doctoral Fellow of the Harvard Environmental Economics Program and a Ph.D. Student Affiliate of Evidence for Policy Design at the Centre for International Development. She received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park.

About Energy Futures Lab

Energy Futures Lab is one of seven Global Institutes at Imperial College London. The institute was established to address global energy challenges by identifying and leading new opportunities to serve industry, government and society at large through high quality research, evidence and advocacy for positive change. The institute aims to promote energy innovation and advance systemic solutions for a sustainable energy future by bringing together the science, engineering and policy expertise at Imperial and fostering collaboration with a wide variety of external partners.