Discover how 200,000 French households are set to engage with an innovative and temporary power limitation scheme. Governed by Linky meters, this scheme presents a fresh approach to managing electricity consumption.
Understanding the Power Limitation Scheme
Designed to ease pressure on the grid and assess the impact on electricity consumption, the scheme will temporarily reduce the power of participating households from a typical 6 or 9 kilovolt-amperes (kVA) to just 3 kVA. This level of power reduction will still permit the use of vital appliances. Participating households will also be afforded the choice to opt out of the power cut, receiving 10 euros as an acknowledgement of any inconvenience.
Responding to Provider Concerns
Initial objections from electricity providers resulted in modifications to the scheme. The duration of the power reduction, previously set for four hours, was reduced to just two. Participation in the trial became a voluntary choice for households, with all communication regarding the trial to be conducted via mail.
Exploring the Trials
These trials are set to complete by the end of March 2024. The trials will be conducted during weekdays and peak consumption times, either in the early morning or late afternoon/evening.
The French Ministry’s Stance
The French Ministry of Ecological Transition believes these trials will help evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the strategy. If proven effective, similar measures could be used to alleviate grid tension and prevent blackouts in the future. The Electricity Transmission Network (RTE) supports this view, noting that the risk of blackouts for winter 2023-2024 is expected to be lower than the previous year.
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