Core Viewpoint - The recent adjustments to time-of-use electricity pricing across various provinces in China aim to address the challenges of electricity supply and demand balance, driven by high electricity loads due to extreme weather conditions [1] Group 1: Time-of-Use Pricing Mechanism - Time-of-use pricing involves implementing different electricity rates during various times of the day, including peak, flat, and valley periods, to encourage users to optimize their electricity usage [1] - The policy has evolved since the 1980s, initially starting with peak and valley pricing, and has since incorporated peak, seasonal, and wet/dry pricing mechanisms [1] - Recent adjustments to the pricing mechanism are designed to facilitate the transition to a new type of power system, moving from a traditional "supply follows demand" model to an "interactive supply-demand" model [1] Group 2: Impact on Power Generation and Consumption - The new pricing signals aim to align user electricity consumption with the characteristics of renewable energy output, particularly addressing the mismatch between peak solar generation times and user demand [2] - Adjustments in pricing, such as designating midday hours as low or even deep valley pricing, help mitigate the issue of renewable energy curtailment [2] - Users are encouraged to shift their consumption patterns to reduce costs and enhance grid stability, as seen in the case of Hainan, where adjustments were made to address peak load challenges [2] Group 3: Implications for Renewable Energy Enterprises - The time-of-use pricing mechanism is expected to promote renewable energy consumption in the long term, expanding the development space for renewables [3] - However, in the short term, renewable energy prices may face pressure, potentially extending the payback period for investments in projects like distributed solar [3] - Recommendations for renewable energy companies include investing in energy storage, enhancing market trading capabilities, and exploring aggregated trading models for distributed projects [3] Group 4: Benefits for Electricity Users and Grid Companies - Electricity users can effectively reduce costs by optimizing their consumption strategies, increasing usage during low and deep valley periods [3] - Users are advised to manage energy consumption proactively, including optimizing production schedules and enhancing energy efficiency through digital technologies [3] - For grid companies, the time-of-use pricing mechanism alleviates peak load pressures and provides a flexible adjustment solution for maintaining supply-demand balance [4] - Advanced technologies like big data and AI can be utilized to analyze customer behavior and offer personalized energy solutions [4]
分时电价破解电力供需平衡难题
Jing Ji Ri Bao·2025-07-06 21:46