Acceptance of Aggregators in Demand Response Programs During the Age of Renewable Energy

These days electricity supply and trading are developing quickly due to the digitalization of the energy industry. This development is also generated by the evolution of many new business models in the field and also by new technologies in form of smart grids, smart meters, demand response, smart homes peer-to-peer trading, blockchain, Internet of Things and not the least artificial intelligence. These technologies altogether have a great contribution to the field of electricity, furthermore conjointly make the digitalization of the electricity supply, trading, generation and transportation. The objective of the research is to determine the degree to which consumers agree to work with an aggregator to implement demand response programs. Additionally, there is an interest to research those services what makes these programs more attractive to electricity prosumers and consumers (both households and industry) as well to identify those triggers which make electricity consumers or prosumers to start utilizing them. We have to keep in mind that demand-side management beside offering monetary benefits and incentives, also assists final consumers and prosumers in energy management in the meaning of increasing the level of optimal generation and consumption and decreasing energy wastes. Beyond the abovementioned facts, the aim is on the decrease of carbon dioxide emissions generated by pollutant fossil fuel electricity generation and positively affecting global warming, without endangering the good functioning of electricity systems. Awareness and education have a greater role in achieving a more rational, conscious and optimal consumption of electricity though demand response programs. The issue has to be raised to the level of acceptance and importance similar to what recycling of other recyclable materials have these days, such as plastic, paper, various glass and metals.