The Effects of Social Distancing on Electricity Demand Considering Temperature Dependency

Mohannad Alkhraijah, Maad Alowaifeer, Mansour Alsaleh, Anas Alfaris and Daniel K. Molzahn
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Mohannad Alkhraijah: Center for Complex Systems, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
Maad Alowaifeer: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA
Mansour Alsaleh: Center for Complex Systems, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
Anas Alfaris: Center for Complex Systems, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
Daniel K. Molzahn: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: To mitigate the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), governments around the world have imposed social distancing policies ranging from minor social activity suspensions to full curfews. These social distancing policies have altered electricity consumption behaviors in numerous countries. Many governments imposed strict social distancing policies during a temperature transition season where the impacts of temperature variations are particularly important for the operation of the electric grid. This paper studies how strict social distancing policies affect the relationship between electricity demand and ambient temperature. We first review the expected short- and long-term impacts of social distancing on the electricity demand. We then present a case study on the electricity demand of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during strict social distancing policies. The results of this case study suggest that strict social distancing policies result in a stronger correlation between temperature and electricity demand compared to previous years. Additionally, we observe a reduction in the time required for the electricity demand to respond to temperature changes. Power system regulators can use the results in this paper to better design energy policies. The results can also be used by power system operators to more accurately forecast electricity demands and avoid inefficient and insecure operation of the electric grid.

Keywords: cooling demand; COVID-19; electricity demand; social distancing; temperature (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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