Review and classification of barriers and enablers of demand response in the smart grid

Abstract

Demand for flexibility in electricity systems and the transition to the Smart Grid is increasing opportunities for demand response (DR). However, there are many barriers which prevent the full potential of DR being realised. Unlocking of this potential, through identification of DR enablers, can be aided through systematic classification and analysis of DR barriers. To this end, while previous works mostly focused on individual aspects, this paper develops a comprehensive 'socio-techno-economic' review, classification and analysis of DR barriers and enablers in a Smart Grid context. This provides an intellectual framework which may be used to underpin further work on the study and integration of DR. DR barriers are classified as either fundamental (i.e., relating to intrinsic human nature/essential enabling technology) or secondary (i.e., relating to anthropogenic institutions/or system feedbacks). Fundamental barriers are defined as economic, social or technological, whilst secondary barriers relate to political regulatory aspects, design of markets, physical (electrical network) issues, or to general understanding of DR. Subsequently, associated enablers for the defined barriers are suggested. Consideration of technical and commercial/social aspects for both power system and information and communication technology (the "internet of things") domains provides a foundational contribution to improve understanding of DR within the Smart Grid paradigm. Finally, the complexity resulting from connections between various barriers, enablers and the energy system generally, and the existence of the signature characteristics of complex systems is acknowledged and implications discussed.

Overview of Real-Time Simulation as a Supporting Effort to Smart-Grid Attainment

“…It has been also reported that there was not enough international collaboration regarding SG technology standards [21,23]. It is noteworthy that not international, but local efforts have been made though, as stated by an exponential increase in venture capital funding for SG start-ups in the U.S. [22].…”

Managing PV power injection and storage, enabling a larger direct consumption of renewable energy: A case study for the Belgian electricity system

“…Part of the consumption can be shifted, but for substantial shifts, it requires a relative high reward or price benefit for the consumer, making the current business cases for the residential market difficult to realize . Moreover, a suite of economic, social, technical, political, and regulatory barriers to demand response still needs to be overcome . For the large deployment of renewables into the electricity system, we need to maximize the potential of direct consumption of the renewable‐generated energy as a complementary approach to demand response.…”

“…11,12 Moreover, a suite of economic, social, technical, political, and regulatory barriers to demand response still needs to be overcome. 13 For the large deployment of renewables into the electricity system, we need to maximize the potential of direct consumption of the renewable-generated energy as a complementary approach to demand response. This requires rethinking how energy storage can support direct consumption in the most cost-effective ways.When wind-and solar-generated energy is fed directly into the electricity grid, then cost is already competitive with existing electricity generation based on fossil fuels.…”

Optimizing the Structure of Distribution Smart Grids with Renewable Generation against Abnormal Conditions: A Complex Networks Approach with Evolutionary Algorithms

“…Efficiently integrating distributed RE generation systems [3][4][5] is a key research topic because the most used renewable energies-photovoltaic (PV) solar energy [6,7], wind energy [8,9] and marine energy [10]-are intermittent and more difficult to store [11] and integrate without affecting the quality of the electrical network [12] or the electricity prices [13]. The current proliferation of small-scale urban PV in buildings [14] and urban wind generators [15] can help home electricity consumers become also producers ("prosumers") [16] using the smart grid (SG) [17,18] and micro-grids (µ−Gs) [19] concepts.…”