A Theoretical Assessment Framework for Demand Response Literature

Rapid technological advancements and global decarbonisation goals have accelerated demand flexibility needs, with demand response (DR) being a proven and efficient solution. However, the implementation of DR is context-sensitive, requiring a thorough analysis of transferable best practices. There are various methods of DR, but the existing literature often concentrate on one or more of the specific aspects of the programme, such as technical requirements, socio-economic benefits, and stakeholder engagement, among others. This focus can create challenges in evaluating and comparing the diverse DR programmes in a fair and general multi-perspective manner. To address this issue, this paper introduces a theoretical framework that assesses literature on DR programmes through a point-based scoring system across seven critical perspectives, facilitating the selection of relevant, high-quality literature. Information from this selected literature can assist in identifying factors that either support or hinder the implementation of a DR programme. This, in turn, aids policymakers in choosing the most appropriate programmes for potential implementation or acts as a foundation for adapting strategies across different geographical contexts.