Assessing the viability and environmental impact of residential demand response programs

What is it about?

Residential demand response programs offer a promising avenue for cost savings and bolstering the security of power supply networks. However, in Ghana, these programs are not reaching their full potential due to a lack of insight into consumer electricity usage behavior. This study focuses on reducing the strain on Ghana's power grid during peak hours by examining consumer behavior in East Legon. By applying a diversified demand method, the research reveals the possibility of alleviating 3 MW of demand daily during peak times. The implementation of such a program could lead to significant annual energy savings of 40,479,991 kWh and a reduction of 1,032,239,780 kg in CO2 emissions. Financial analysis shows a positive Net Present Value (NPV) of GHS 350.00, indicating that the demand response program is economically feasible for East Legon. The findings highlight the importance of understanding consumer behavior to effectively design demand response initiatives. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers and utility companies, emphasizing the role of consumer behavior in enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in Ghana.

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Why is it important?

Grid reliability is a paramount concern in Greater Accra due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. These factors (industrialization and urbanization) render the region susceptible to load shedding in Ghana. Despite the sufficiency of current electricity generation capacity, the Greater Accra region experiences a disproportionate share of load shedding during generation shortfalls in Ghana. Hence the need to advance the implementation of Demand Response.

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