Grid Reliability Considerations for High Levels of Demand Response

The objectives of this white paper are to: (1) consider the unique characteristics of demand response relative to bulk electric system reliability needs and present contributions to system reliability, (2) identify potential bulk electric system reliability impacts of high levels of demand response without appropriate characterization of the resource over time and at increasing penetration levels, and (3) identify research needs to address these impacts so that the potential benefits of DR as system resource can be realized.

Demand response (DR) has been used effectively for decades through peak reduction programs and through emergency interruptible load programs wherein large industrial and commercial loads agree to reduce load as an emergency resource when called upon by system operators, often as a last step prior to shedding...(Read entire article)