The impact of different prosumer configurations on achieving savings due to the increase in electricity prices

Abstract

This paper investigates the consumption, and the cost of electricity for different configurations of prosumers in Croatia and additionally considers the current increase in electricity prices. In April 2022, electricity prices for households increased by 15%. Furthermore, from October 2022, electricity prices for households with annual electricity consumption above 5000 kWh are 50% higher than for households with annual electricity consumption below 5000 kWh. The load shifting from a period with a higher price to a period with a lower price can reduce electricity costs but cannot reduce the total amount of electricity imported from the distribution grid. Therefore, there is a possibility to install a PV power plant to meet consumers' own needs for electricity and to reduce the total amount of electricity imported from the distribution grid. Prosumers with different configurations regarding a PV power plant, battery energy storage, and optimal load shifting are simulated, and the total amount of electricity imported from the grid and total electricity costs are compared. According to simulation results, a prosumer with a PV power plant can reduce electricity consumption below 5000 kWh. On the other side, a prosumer with a PV power plant, battery energy storage, and optimal load shifting can significantly reduce total electricity costs.