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Residual load describes the electricity demand remaining after deducting renewable energy generation — and is a key factor for storage operation, electricity trading, and grid expansion.
Residual load is the portion of electricity demand that still has to be covered by conventional power plants or storage systems after deducting electricity generation from renewable energy sources, especially PV and wind. It is a key parameter for grid operation, electricity trading, and storage strategies.
At every moment, electricity generation in the grid must match electricity consumption exactly. Renewable energy sources generate more or less electricity depending on weather conditions. Residual load is calculated as:
Residual load = electricity demand – renewable electricity generation
If residual load is high, conventional power plants or storage systems must supply electricity. If it is negative, for example during periods of very high PV feed-in on sunny days, there is a surplus of electricity that must be stored, exported, or curtailed.
• Design and control of battery storage systems to smooth residual load
• Load management in industrial and commercial applications
• Optimization of electricity trading, for example by using price signals during periods of high residual load
• Basis for grid expansion planning and redispatch measures
• Forecast-based control of generation and consumption in smart grids
• Residual load curve: shows the pattern over the course of a day or year
• Load peaks: periods of high residual load, relevant for storage discharge
• Negative residual load: periods of surplus electricity from renewable energy sources
• Load coverage by storage (kWh, %): share of residual load covered by BESS
• Time correlation with electricity prices: high residual load generally means higher electricity prices
Residual load describes the “actual electricity demand” that remains after deducting solar and wind generation, and determines when conventional generators or storage systems need to step in. For companies and storage operators, it is an important planning parameter, as it influences electricity prices, storage charging and discharging, and grid-supportive operation.
