Low-Carbon Demand Response Framework with Participations of Flexible Loads

To realize the decarbonization of power systems, many studies concentrate on the carbon emission on the generator side, yet neglect the effect of the adjustment of electricity consumption behavior of flexible loads on the user side on the carbon reduction. Therefore, a low-carbon demand response framework with dynamic carbon emission factors (DCEFs) as incentive signals is proposed to motivate electrical customers (ECs) to adjust their electricity consumption behaviors to indirectly affect the carbon emission of the system. The proposed framework covers 4 steps, i.e., DCEF calculation, baseline load prediction, ECs’ electricity consumption behavior optimization, and carbon reduction benefit estimation. Thus, to effectively inspire electrical consumers to interact with power systems via demand response, a precise DCEF calculation method is established based on carbon emission flow theory. To guide ECs to adjust their electricity consumption behaviors of flexible loads to indirectly reduce carbon emissions, a strategy for electricity consumption behavior adjustment is proposed with electricity consumption models of flexible loads. Finally, the case studies illustrate the validity of the proposed framework in a modified IEEE 33-bus test system. The simulation results show that the proposed framework could help the system operator realize the decarbonization of power systems via demand response.