Ripple control in the Czech Republic and Demand Side Management

In view of the increasing lack of electricity facilities in Europe there is constantly more talk about the methods of controlling demand by the demanding side, i.e. Demand Side Management (DSM). Ripple control (RC) in the Czech Republic is an elaborated system of management by technical means at the relevant rates for electricity distribution especially for 8 and 20 hours per day at a low tariff (LT). The combination of LT rates above all for 8 hours (storage heaters) and 20 hours (direct heating appliances) creates from a ripple control a system that can shape a demand side load profile according to energy requirements. Due to the liberalisation of the electricity market and the legal unbundling of the biggest energy companies in the Czech Republic the capabilities of ripple control are being forgotten. The purpose of the paper is to show the regulatory possibilities of the Ripple Control System in the Czech Republic.