Distributed energy resources in Pakistan

Highlights (hypothesis framed as highlights)

1. By introducing solar PV in buildings, it is possible to meet a considerable amount of
energy demand via clean sources at the household and neighborhood levels. With
increasing proliferation, this can eventually impact national demand.
2. The consistently low payback period on investment means that policies such as net
metering should be replaced by mandatory solar PV at a residential level (depending on
area of house under construction).
3. Individual building load without any flexibility intervention shows a much higher level of
self-sufficiency when compared with buildings in The Netherlands and Belgium.
4. Neighborhood level self-sufficiency is also considerably higher when compared with
Northern Europe. The peak load is also reduced considerably.
5. Batteries as UPS systems and air conditioners are already widely available and
therefore do not increase system investment cost for flexibility sources.

Effects at a building level

Effect of size and orientation
Payback period and NPV
Fraction of construction investment costs
With battery systems
Self-sufficiency
Comparison with Northern Europe

Correlation between supply and demand

Effects at a neighborhood level

Effect of size and orientation
Self-sufficiency
With battery systems
Peak demand and injection
Comparison with Northern Europe

Effects at a national level

Reduction in national demand
Roadmap to the future

Policy recommendations
1. Mandating minimum DER dimensions based on covered area
2. Mandating minimum thermal standards based on heat losses
3. Net metering is not required, instead subsidizing solar panel installation
4. Demand side management programs should be initiated to inform people
Misc.
1. Solar panels to meet residential baseload
2. Solar panels for peak shaving
3. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) for peak shaving
4. Air conditioning load management for peak shaving