The Nordic countries share a vision of becoming the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. Large-scale deployment of renewable energy is a key enabler for this and for building a green and competitive region.
Smart and flexible use of electricity reduces costs, strengthens security of supply, and is essential for integrating renewables while maintaining system stability.
Drawing on ten Nordic case studies focused on demand-side flexibility (DSF), the study highlights market barriers and enablers for the effective use of smart appliances.
In many ways, the report reflects the “chicken-and-egg dilemma”: without consumer participation, flexibility markets lack liquidity; without robust incentives, consumers hesitate to invest.
One of the key messages is that complex local flexibility markets are not the only way to utilise DSF to address grid challenges. Conditional connections, bilateral agreements, and grid tariffs are examples of alternative solutions.
While specific product-related policy measures are not analysed, the authors recommend developing a roadmap with clear milestones for appliance standardisation and interoperability.
Klaus Skytte
CEO, Nordic Energy Research