Demand side management through PLC: concepts and challenges

This chapter provided an overview of DSM and especially, DR. In the past years, a wide range of DR programs have been developed in different power systems across the world. These programs aim at engaging all the types of consumers: from large industrial customers to residential end-users with relatively small electricity consumption, considering also special types of consumers such as the EV and data centers. The primary motive for developing DR programs is that by enabling the participation of the demand side in electricity markets significant benefits are anticipated: more efficient and sustainable system planning, enhancement of the operation of the distribution system, lower and more stable electricity prices in the long run, mitigation of the market power of several participants and promotion of competition, economic benefits for the consumers, and increased operational flexibility. Increased operational flexibility is directly linked to accommodating the handicaps of the trend that indicates that significant amount of variable RES generation will be introduced in power systems in the future.