During peak electricity demand periods, prices in wholesale markets can be up to nine times higher than during off-peak periods. This is because if a vast number of users is consuming electricity at the same time, power plants with higher greenhouse gas emissions and higher system costs are typically activated. In the UK, the residential sector is responsible for about one third of overall electricity demand and up to 60% of peak demand. This paper presents an analysis of the 2014–2015 Office for National Statistics National Time Use Survey with a view to derive an intrinsic flexibility index based on timing of residential electricity demand. It analyses how the intrinsic flexibility varies compared with wholesale electricity market prices. Findings show that spot prices and intrinsic flexibility to shift activities vary harmoniously throughout the day. Reflections are also drawn on the application of this research to work on demand side flexibility.

在电力需求高峰期，批发市场的价格可能比非高峰时期高出九倍。这是因为如果大量用户同时用电，通常会激活温室气体排放量较高且系统成本较高的发电厂。在英国，住宅部门约占总电力需求的三分之一，占峰值电力需求的60％。本文对2014-2015年国家统计局国家时间使用调查进行了分析，以期根据住宅用电需求的时间得出内在的灵活性指数。它分析了与批发电力市场价格相比固有的灵活性是如何变化的。结果表明，现货价格和转移活动的内在灵活性全天都在和谐地变化。还对本研究在需求侧灵活性上的应用进行了反思。