Quantitative analysis of energy justice in demand response: Insights from real residential data in Texas, USA

’Demand-side response’ (DSR), a mechanism through which residential electricity usage adapts based on external cues, has been conceptualized diversely, with numerous experiments showing that DSR frequently results in disparate and inconsistent outcomes for consumers. This diversity in outcomes prompts an examination of implementing such policies, thereby situating them within the discourse of energy justice—a perspective that explores the ethical dimensions of energy systems. However, current research lacks quantitative assessments and case studies specifically focused on energy justice. This article utilizes actual residential energy consumption data from Texas, USA, and designs scenarios based on a hypothetical renewable energy system and real-world DSR conditions. It quantitatively models the operational costs and peak loads resulting from different groups’ energy behaviors within the DSR framework. The results indicate that users with light participation in DSR can achieve up to 50% savings in operational costs on certain typical days, and as the level of DSR participation increases, these savings can reach approximately 90%. Users who are unable to participate in DSR are often those most vulnerable to energy poverty. Such policies thus pose a significant risk of energy injustice. Finally, based on the quantitative analysis of this energy injustice, we provide corresponding policy recommendations.