Why should I not feed electricity into the grid when electricity prices are negative?

When electricity prices are negative, there is a chance that the cost of selling electricity to the grid is greater than the actual benefit you can get from it. This is because when prices are negative, there is an oversupply of electricity, resulting in a falling market price. In such cases, it may not be financially worthwhile to feed electricity into the grid. Here are some reasons why this may be the case:

1. Remuneration below market price: If the market price of electricity is negative, it means that the value of electricity on the market is actually negative. In some cases, the remuneration you receive for feeding into the grid can be lower than the actual cost of generating the electricity. This would result in a financial loss.

2. Feed-in losses: Feeding electricity into the grid can incur additional costs and losses. Depending on how far away your generation site is from the grid connection point, transmission and distribution losses can occur. These losses can reduce or even exceed the benefits of infeed.

3. Contract terms: It is possible that your existing feed-in contract contains certain terms that are not beneficial when negative electricity prices occur. For example, contracts could stipulate a minimum feed-in quantity or certain remuneration rates that are not met in the event of negative prices.

4. Operating Costs: There are certain operating costs associated with maintaining any power generation system, whether from solar panels, wind turbines, or other sources. If the remuneration for the feed-in is negative, these costs could not be covered by the revenue from the sale of electricity.

It is important to note that specific terms and regulations may vary by country and region. It is advisable to contact your electricity network operator and local energy authorities for precise information and advice on how to deal with negative electricity prices in your specific case.

Does feeding in negative electricity prices lead to grid instability?

Feeding electricity into the grid when electricity prices are negative usually does not directly lead to grid instability. However, negative electricity prices can lead to challenges for the electricity grid in certain situations. Here are some aspects to consider:

1. Oversupply of electricity: Negative electricity prices usually arise due to an oversupply of electricity. When generation from renewable energies such as wind and solar energy is very high and consumption is low, a situation can arise where more electricity is produced than demanded. This oversupply can lead to negative electricity prices.

2. Grid utilization: If the feed-in of electricity exceeds the capacity of the electricity grid due to high renewable energy production, this can lead to grid congestion. In such cases, grid stability may be affected as the grid may not be able to handle the entire volume of electricity injected.

3. Redispatch measures: In the event of negative electricity prices, grid operators can take so-called redispatch measures to ensure grid stability. The feed-in from certain generation plants is reduced or switched off completely in order to reduce the oversupply of electricity and avoid grid bottlenecks. These measures serve to ensure grid stability, but can have economic consequences for the affected plant operators.

4. Load shifting: In some cases, negative electricity prices can create incentives to increase consumption to offset the excess supply of electricity. Consumers who are flexible and have the ability to manage their electricity consumption can benefit from these low prices. Such load shifting can help stabilize the grid and reduce oversupply.

It is important to note that grid stability depends on many factors and may differ from country to country and the specific grid infrastructure. Grid operators and energy authorities are responsible for maintaining grid stability and dealing with negative electricity prices. They take measures to maintain the balance between electricity generation and consumption and to avoid grid congestion.

Can the Stromfee Diary with AI help give recommendations on this?

ChatGPT:

Yes, the Stromfee diary with AI can provide recommendations and assistance in the area of energy efficiency and optimization. By integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the diary, advanced algorithms and models can be used to perform in-depth analysis and generate data-based recommendations. Here are some ways the Stromfee Diary with AI can help with recommendations:

1. Energy consumption profiles: The Stromfee diary can create an individual energy consumption profile based on historical consumption data and individual preferences. Based on this information, the diary can provide recommendations on how to optimize and adjust energy consumption to achieve savings.

2. Load shifting: The diary can provide recommendations for load shifting based on weather forecasts, energy prices and usage patterns. It may propose shifting energy-intensive activities to periods of lower electricity prices or higher availability of renewable energy to reduce costs and maximize green energy use.

3. Optimization of heating and cooling: By integrating AI, the Stromfee Diary can give personalized recommendations for optimizing heating and cooling systems. Based on data such as weather forecasts, room occupancy and individual preferences, it can make suggestions on how to optimize temperature control to maximize energy efficiency and comfort.

4. System maintenance and error detection: With the help of AI, the Stromfee diary can also help to optimize system maintenance and identify potential errors at an early stage. By analyzing real-time data, operating parameters and pattern recognition, it can detect anomalies and alert operators to maintenance needs or potential problems.

5. Forecast of energy production and consumption: With the help of AI models, the Stromfee Diary can create accurate forecasts for energy production and consumption. Based on historical data, weather forecasts and other factors, it can predict how much energy will be generated and consumed. These forecasts can serve as a basis for strategic decisions and planning.

By using AI, the Stromfee Diary can provide personalized and precise support to maximize energy efficiency, reduce costs and promote sustainable energy practices. The combination of energy consumption data, weather forecasts and advanced AI models enables the diary to provide tailored recommendations that meet each user's unique needs and goals.