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Review
. 2020 Oct:68:101682.
doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2020.101682. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Analysis of the electricity demand trends amidst the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic

Azzam Abu-Rayash  1 , Ibrahim Dincer  1
Affiliations
Review

Analysis of the electricity demand trends amidst the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic

Azzam Abu-Rayash et al. Energy Res Soc Sci. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of COVID-19 and the global pandemic on the energy sector dynamics. Hourly electricity demand data was collected and analyzed for the province of Ontario. It is evident that health-related pandemics have a detrimental and direct influence on the concept of the smart city. This is manifested through various social, economic, environmental, technological and energy-related changes. The overall electricity demand of the province for the month of April of this year amidst pandemic conditions declined by 14%, totaling 1267 GW. A unique trend of reciprocating energy demand exists throughout the week. The post-COVID-19 indicates higher energy demand in the earlier part of the week and a lower demand in the latter part of the week. Pre-pandemic, the days of highest electricity demand were in the latter part of the work week (Wed-Fri) in addition to the weekend. Post-pandemic, the highest electricity demand occurred in the earlier part of the week (Mon-Tue). Hourly electricity demand shows a clear curve flattening during the pandemic, especially during peak hours of 7-11 in the morning and 5-7 in the evening, resulting in significant demand reductions during these periods. Lastly, due to COVID-19, GHG emission reductions of 40,000 tonnes of CO2e were achieved along with savings of $131,844 for the month of April.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Electricity demand reduction; Energy conservation; Smart city.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Impact of COVID-19 on Ontario electricity demand patterns for the month of March (Adopted from: [11]).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Levels of increasing smartness for cities.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Aspects of smart cities including main indicators for each sub-index.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on different sectors.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Comparison of the daily electricity demand for Ontario for the month of April in 2019 and 2020 [Data from: [11]].
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Chart showing on-peak and off-peak electricity demand in Ontario [Adapted from: [11]].
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Hourly electricity demand for the days of April of 2019 and 2020 [Data from: [11]].
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Daily electricity demand forecast for the months of May and June [Data from: [11]].
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
IESO zonal map for electricity demand [Data from: [11]].
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Hourly electricity demand for the top three zones [Data from: [11]].
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
Hourly electricity demand for the remainder Ontario zones [Data from: [14]].
Fig. 12
Fig. 12
Peak demand hours for the Toronto zone for April of 2019 and 2020 [Data from: [11]].
Fig. 13
Fig. 13
Hourly electricity demand for Ontario for the first 10 days of April [Data from: [11]].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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