Abstract:

One of the global trends in improving energy efficiency is the use of mechanisms of demand management for electricity consumption. Considering the intensive development of demand management technologies, the experience of levelling load schedules is gradually spreading to other energy resources, according to the technological structure of production, transmission and consumption similar to electric energy, the main one is natural gas. In scientific research, interest in assessing and analysing the characteristics of the volatility of demand for gas consumption and developing mechanisms for managing demand for this type of energy resources is constantly growing. The purpose of this study is to develop a method for differentiation of territories and regions according to the practicality degree of implementation of demand management for natural gas consumption mechanisms. The article presents the study results of the volatility characteristics of gas consumption demand and the characteristics of influencing factors in some countries of the world. Based on the developed indicators, the annual load volatility coefficient, the variation range of the annual load schedule, the authors constructed a volatility map of regional demand for gas consumption in the regions of Russia, based on the analysis of which three regional groups were identified that are similar in common characteristics of the relative and absolute volatility of annual gas demand. Differentiation of territories and regions into groups allows us to develop more targeted, individual measures in the field of gas demand management. For further ranking of the regions within the selected groups, the article proposes a system of indicators and an integrated index of prospects for introducing mechanisms for managing demand for natural gas. Testing the use of the indicator system in the article is illustrated by the example of regions that, according to the volatility map, are the most promising in terms of the effectiveness of the implementation of demand management mechanisms. The results of the study are of theoretical and practical significance and can be used in assessing potential, developing programs and analysing areas for implementing demand management measures in different countries, regions of the world, and in developing and implementing measures for demand management programs and territorial entities