To avoid blackouts this winter, public authorities are looking for all means to smooth out the famous consumption peaks: these times of day when the French are very likely to turn on electric plates, televisions, lights, heaters…
One of the main consumption peaks of the day is between 12 and 14 hours, at lunchtime. To save money, RTE and the public authorities asked Enedis to use the Linky connected meter to “disconnect” as many hot water storage tanks as possible from the network at this time, as has been seen UFC-Que Choisir.
Obviously, from October 15 to April 15, customers who benefit from the peak/off-peak rate will see their clusters in operation only at night, and more during the day.
This temporary suspension “will save the equivalent of 2.5 GW at 12:30 p.m. and 1 GW at 1 p.m.,” explains Enedis.
• Who is concerned?
The implementation of this eco-gesture affects 4.3 million customers in France. It is based on Linky’s counter. These are private customers, professionals and local authorities who have subscribed to a power equal to or less than 36 kVA and who have opted for a “peak hours/off-peak hours” subscription with their electricity supplier. Then they benefit from 8 off-peak hours and 16 full hours a day, with differentiated rates (more interesting in off-peak hours). The 8 off-peak hours are concentrated solely in the night hours between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. for approximately 60% of customers or spread between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on one side and 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on the other for approximately 40% of customers. % Of customers.
Therefore, it is the 4.3 million customers in France who benefit from the off-peak hours between noon and 2 pm and who recharge their water heater during these hours who are directly affected.
• What does this change for my water heater?
If your cumulus is scheduled to warm up at night, this won’t change anything. If you have programmed it so that it also heats during the day, in those famous noon valley hours, it will automatically “unplug” without you having to do anything.
Linky cannot detect what type of device is active in the house: it is impossible for him to distinguish between a TV and a computer. But he can turn off “the automatic switching signal for controlled electrical uses,” explains Enedis. In fact, water heaters.
For most customers, the measurement will be completely painless, except of course if they are heavy users of hot water in the middle of the day.
• Does this change my off-peak hours?
Apart from the water heater, nothing will change. If you benefit from off-peak hours in your contract at 12:00 and 14:00, this will always be the case. If you turn on the television or heating at these times, you will be charged as usual.
Source: BFM TV
