This report offers an introduction to the topic of dynamic demand, or demand side response (DSR), which enables electricity use to be managed in a smarter way, as well as providing support for potential entrants of the Dynamic Demand Challenge Prize.

Key findings

• There are a number of solutions and approaches that shift electricity usage already available in the market. However, there is still potential for more effective solutions to help household and small businesses shift their consumption to off-peak times and make better use of renewable energies.
• With international and national commitments to move to a low-carbon economy, the importance of DSR is likely to grow in the UK and more widely across the international community.

The UK's electricity system is under increasing pressures to keep up with the ever growing electricity demand. Pressure on and from governments to move towards a low carbon economy adds complexity to this problem through increased use of decentralised renewable energy generation.

Dynamic demand, or demand side response (DSR), is the exchange of information between electronic devices, responding to signals from the grid directly or indirectly. These products or technologies can help shift electricity consumption away from peak hours where electricity consumption is high, or enable greater usage of excess electricity generation from renewables, as well as help maximise the use of a smart infrastructure.

Keep up to date with the Dynamic Demand Challenge Prize.

Author

Marieke Beckmann