Active Buildings Demand Response: Provision and Aggregation

Abstract

Nowadays, the world is facing energy crisis and environmental issues. This is why the energy demand is increasing in different energy sections. The buildings as a large energy consumer are critical to face with these issues. To overcome these challenges, the conventional active buildings are moving toward the active building. Demand flexibility and self-generation are two characteristics of the active building. However, the main feature of such emerging buildings is related to their flexibility demand. Demand flexibility in active buildings is enabled by demand response programs. The change in energy consumption pattern by residents of buildings is the aim of implementing such programs. Demand response programs are designed and managed by aggregators in retail markets. In addition, the enabling technologies for implementing such programs are provided by aggregators. Therefore, the aggregators are important for developing acting buildings. Accordingly, in this chapter, the role of aggregators in demand flexibility of active buildings is outlined. Firstly, the concept of aggregators and retail electricity markets are presented. Then, the benefits, barriers, motivators, and challenges of demand response programs are discussed. Moreover, the existing demand response programs and enabling technologies for implementing such programs are described in this chapter