O ONS (National System Operator) presented to CMSE (Electricity Sector Monitoring Committee), in an extraordinary meeting last Thursday (19/9), the contingency plan to meet the energy supply amid the challenging scenario imposed by the lack of rain in Brazil this year.
According to the note released to the press, the Operator recognizes the importance of daylight saving time as a measure to reduce costs, guarantee supply and increase the reliability of the SIN (National Interconnected System), especially during the night peak hours, which occur between 18 pm and 19 pm.
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The study carried out by ONS indicates that the application of daylight saving time in the Central-West, Southeast and South regions can bring a reduction of up to 2,9% in maximum demand, especially in a scenario of critical inflows, such as the one faced at this time. The expectation is that there will be a operating cost savings of around R$400 million between the months of October and February.
“The ONS carried out studies on daylight saving time and recommended its adoption as there are positive gains for the electricity sector, contributing to the efficiency of the SIN (National Interconnected System) and, mainly, expanding the service capacity at peak load”, said the agency’s general director, Marcio Rea.
The measure could reduce maximum demand on both weekdays and weekends, in almost all temperature conditions, postponing the load ramp effect by up to two hours, allowing compensation for the exit of solar generation to be made over a longer period of time.
In addition to daylight saving time, other measures were listed:
- Recognize the importance of the demand response pilot project for availability;
- Reduce minimum discharges at the Porto Primavera and Jupiá hydroelectric plants to levels of 3.900 m³/s and 3.300 m³/s, respectively, by the end of the next dry period (31/10/2025);
- Operate the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant at a minimum flow rate of 100 m³/s, instead of 300 m³/s and allow for use during peak hours;
- Recognize the importance of the entry into operation of the 500 kV LT Porto do Sergipe – Olindina – Sapeaçu; 500 kV LT Terminal Rio – Lagos C1 and C2 and 345 kV LT Leopoldina 2 – Lagos, aiming to ensure the full flow of power from the UTE Porto Sergipe and the UTEs in the RJ/ES area.
2021 study showed gains from daylight saving time
In April 2019, through Decree No. 9.772, the application of daylight saving time was terminated, based on studies by MME (Ministry of Mines and Energy), conducted with the of the ONS, in which it was proven that HV stopped producing the results for which it was formulated, losing its reason for being applied in the electricity sector, as the change did not generate savings in electricity, due to changes in the population's energy consumption habits.
However, in 2021, given the water shortage, the MME asked the ONS to reassess the benefits of applying daylight saving time.
The new studies consider aspects such as luminosity and temperature. The effects of daylight saving time on the load curves of the Southeast/Central-West and South subsystems were evaluated, observing the periods from Oct./2017 to Feb./2018 and Nov./2018 to Feb./2019, comparing the curves of the periods from Oct./2019 to Feb./2020 and Oct./2020 to Feb./2021, when the measure was not implemented.
The load patterns with and without the HV were also considered, observing cold, moderate and hot temperatures. As shown in the following graph:
SE/CO effect
Effect in the South
Conclusion at the time
The adoption of daylight saving time has the effect of reducing demand during peak hours at night, by taking advantage of solar lighting in the late afternoon. The load falls mainly on residential consumer classes and due to the delay in the entry of public lighting.
“Expected average reduction in integrated demand of around 4,7% in the Southeast/Central-West Subsystem and 4,9% in the South Subsystem, both calculated during the night peak period for the month of November 2021. At the same time, the maximum expected reductions were respectively 4,15 GW, or -9,2%, at 19:30 pm in the SE/CO and 1,5 GW, or -11,2%, at 20 pm in the South. In of energy reduction during the night peak period, a reduction of 0,65% (6,4 GWh out of a total of 984 GWh) was observed in the SE/CO and 0,66% (1,96 GWh out of 296 GWh) in the South, ing that these energy reductions are offset by increased consumption at other times along the load curve”.
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