Universität zu Köln

Namockel, Nils ORCID: 0009-0005-2749-1983 (2025). Economic Essays on Flexibility in Energy Systems. PhD thesis, Universität zu Köln.

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Abstract

This dissertation consists of four papers that examine the economic implications of increasing flexibility in energy systems. Chapter 2 analyzes the interaction of dynamic electricity tariffs and three intervention strategies by the distribution system operator in low-voltage grids. Using an optimization model of EV charging, the chapter evaluates impacts on the number and magnitude of congestion events, flexibility demand, and charging costs. The results show that price signals alone may induce synchronized charging peaks, while temporally and spatially differentiated curtailment strategies can effectively mitigate congestion—approaching the system optimum with limited impact on charging costs. Chapter 3 quantifies the spatio-temporal potential of flexible EV charging to smooth residual load profiles in Germany. Using region-specific EV diffusion modeled via sigmoid functions and empirically derived location-specific load and flexibility profiles, the analysis examines structural changes in regional and national residual load curves over time. The results highlight a coordination trade-off: regional incentives effectively reduce local peaks but are less efficient at smoothing the national residual load. National incentives effectively smooth the national residual load but may increase strain at the regional level. Chapter 4 investigates welfare redistribution resulting from flexibility integration. A high-resolution dispatch model simulates multiple flexibility use cases across the transport and heating sectors in Germany in 2030, accounting for heterogeneous user groups. While total system welfare rises modestly, surplus shifts from producers to consumers. On aggregate, consumers benefit regardless of whether they actively provide flexibility, although the extent of these benefits varies considerably across user groups, shaped by consumption profiles and the temporal availability of flexibility. Chapter 5 examines hydrogen price formation and its relationship with electricity prices. The integrated dispatch of the electricity and hydrogen systems is modeled under future climate-neutral scenarios for 2050. Statistical analysis of shadow prices reveals an average electricity-to-hydrogen price ratio of 0.56. Strong price coupling occurs under low residual load, when electrolysis dominates, while decoupling emerges during high residual load and storage discharge.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD thesis)
Translated abstract:	Abstract Language This dissertation consists of four papers that examine the economic implications of increasing flexibility in energy systems. Chapter 2 analyzes the interaction of dynamic electricity tariffs and three intervention strategies by the distribution system operator in low-voltage grids. Using an optimization model of EV charging, the chapter evaluates impacts on the number and magnitude of congestion events, flexibility demand, and charging costs. The results show that price signals alone may induce synchronized charging peaks, while temporally and spatially differentiated curtailment strategies can effectively mitigate congestion—approaching the system optimum with limited impact on charging costs. Chapter 3 quantifies the spatio-temporal potential of flexible EV charging to smooth residual load profiles in Germany. Using region-specific EV diffusion modeled via sigmoid functions and empirically derived location-specific load and flexibility profiles, the analysis examines structural changes in regional and national residual load curves over time. The results highlight a coordination trade-off: regional incentives effectively reduce local peaks but are less efficient at smoothing the national residual load. National incentives effectively smooth the national residual load but may increase strain at the regional level. Chapter 4 investigates welfare redistribution resulting from flexibility integration. A high-resolution dispatch model simulates multiple flexibility use cases across the transport and heating sectors in Germany in 2030, accounting for heterogeneous user groups. While total system welfare rises modestly, surplus shifts from producers to consumers. On aggregate, consumers benefit regardless of whether they actively provide flexibility, although the extent of these benefits varies considerably across user groups, shaped by consumption profiles and the temporal availability of flexibility. Chapter 5 examines hydrogen price formation and its relationship with electricity prices. The integrated dispatch of the electricity and hydrogen systems is modeled under future climate-neutral scenarios for 2050. Statistical analysis of shadow prices reveals an average electricity-to-hydrogen price ratio of 0.56. Strong price coupling occurs under low residual load, when electrolysis dominates, while decoupling emerges during high residual load and storage discharge. English
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Namockel, Nils nils.namockel@outlook.de https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2749-1983 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-789988
Date:	2025
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Management, Economy and Social Sciences
Divisions:	Externe Einrichtungen > An-Institute > Associated Institutes of the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences > Institute for Energy Economics
Subjects:	Economics
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Distribution grid UNSPECIFIED Electric vehicles UNSPECIFIED Flexibility UNSPECIFIED Smart charging UNSPECIFIED Residual load UNSPECIFIED Energy transition UNSPECIFIED Charging profiles UNSPECIFIED Welfare effects UNSPECIFIED Energy system modeling UNSPECIFIED End-use sectors UNSPECIFIED Hydrogen UNSPECIFIED Electricity UNSPECIFIED Price formation UNSPECIFIED Climate neutrality UNSPECIFIED
Date of oral exam:	7 October 2025
Referee:	Name Academic Title Bettzüge, Marc Oliver Prof. Dr. Bucksteeg, Michael Jun.-Prof. Dr.
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/78998