Implementing local flexibility markets and the uptake of electric vehicles – the case for Norway

Pursuing a common goal to mitigate climate change and contribute to a cleaner environment, end-users are taking over a more locally focused and sustainable lifestyle. In compliance to this social trend, recent years have brought a strong push towards electrification of transport and in Norway the interest in electricity driven personal cars has become particularly high. To realize the environmental benefit associated with electric vehicles, however, it is necessary to have enough power generation from renewable energy sources and sufficient capacity in the grid. Yet, renewable energy sources are typically intermittent in nature and pose challenges to the power system, while investments in increased grid capacity can be very costly. In this respect, the usage of energy flexibility to alleviate such challenges can be an efficient solution. This paper contributes to the research field by referring to eminent experiences from local market implementation trials in Norway – a country with a particularly high electric vehicle uptake rate. The paper pays focus to the flexibility opportunities stemming from charging of electric vehicles and to the “locality” as an important aspect of the market solution. Discussing key issues related to flexibility potential, local market design and implementation, the paper serves as a good reference point to support further steps towards local flexibility markets establishments.