IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v207y2025ics1364032124006841.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Demand response for frequency regulation: Research continuity and knowledge gaps

Author

Listed:
  • Tsybina, Eve
  • Winstead, Chris
  • Ollis, Ben
  • Olama, Mohammed
  • Kuruganti, Teja

Abstract

Frequency regulation is an increasingly important task in the presence of intermittent renewable generation and growing loads in the distribution energy systems. Some of the frequency regulation can be provided by leveraging demand response, relieving the pressure to build additional generating assets. The use of demand response for frequency regulation services has given rise to many theoretical and experimental studies related to demand response for providing frequency regulation. Despite the growing body of research, it is often difficult to establish the continuity of research efforts from modelling of basic systems to modelling of complex systems to practical feasibility. This study reviews models of individual devices, followed by studies of device fleets models, microgrid models, and experimental implementation of demand response. In each reviewed study, the review analyses the stated goals of demand response, its limitations, the architecture of sensing and communication, and the control approach. The study further discusses the transitions between groups of studies and how the differences between respective groups lead to changes in modelling or implementation approaches. Thus, the review provides a comprehensive view of the state of the art and identify, where applicable, research gaps and potential areas of improvement.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsybina, Eve & Winstead, Chris & Ollis, Ben & Olama, Mohammed & Kuruganti, Teja, 2025. "Demand response for frequency regulation: Research continuity and knowledge gaps," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:207:y:2025:i:c:s1364032124006841
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2024.114958
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032124006841
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114958?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Borne, Olivier & Korte, Klaas & Perez, Yannick & Petit, Marc & Purkus, Alexandra, 2018. "Barriers to entry in frequency-regulation services markets: Review of the status quo and options for improvements," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 605-614.
    2. Pavlak, Gregory S. & Henze, Gregor P. & Cushing, Vincent J., 2015. "Evaluating synergistic effect of optimally controlling commercial building thermal mass portfolios," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 161-176.
    3. Rehman, Obaid Ur & Khan, Shahid A. & Javaid, Nadeem, 2021. "Decoupled building-to-transmission-network for frequency support in PV systems dominated grid," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 930-945.
    4. Wang, Huilong & Wang, Shengwei, 2021. "A hierarchical optimal control strategy for continuous demand response of building HVAC systems to provide frequency regulation service to smart power grids," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    5. Abdul Latif & S. M. Suhail Hussain & Dulal Chandra Das & Taha Selim Ustun, 2020. "Optimum Synthesis of a BOA Optimized Novel Dual-Stage PI ? (1 + ID) Controller for Frequency Response of a Microgrid," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-12, July.
    6. Razmara, M. & Bharati, G.R. & Hanover, Drew & Shahbakhti, M. & Paudyal, S. & Robinett, R.D., 2017. "Building-to-grid predictive power flow control for demand response and demand flexibility programs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 128-141.
    7. Wang, Huilong & Wang, Shengwei & Shan, Kui, 2020. "Experimental study on the dynamics, quality and impacts of using variable-speed pumps in buildings for frequency regulation of smart power grids," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    8. Andrew Ly & Saeid Bashash, 2020. "Fast Transactive Control for Frequency Regulation in Smart Grids with Demand Response and Energy Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-23, September.
    9. Yebai Qi & Dan Wang & Xuyang Wang & Hongjie Jia & Tianjiao Pu & Naishi Chen & Kaixin Liu, 2017. "Frequency Control Ancillary Service Provided by Efficient Power Plants Integrated in Queuing-Controlled Domestic Water Heaters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-21, April.
    10. Alejandro Martín-Crespo & Sergio Saludes-Rodil & Enrique Baeyens, 2021. "Flexibility Management with Virtual Batteries of Thermostatically Controlled Loads: Real-Time Control System and Potential in Spain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-18, March.
    11. Kai Ma & Chenliang Yuan & Jie Yang & Zhixin Liu & Xinping Guan, 2017. "Switched Control Strategies of Aggregated Commercial HVAC Systems for Demand Response in Smart Grids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
    12. Mohammed M. Olama & Teja Kuruganti & James Nutaro & Jin Dong, 2018. "Coordination and Control of Building HVAC Systems to Provide Frequency Regulation to the Electric Grid," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, July.
    13. Nikzad, Mehdi & Samimi, Abouzar, 2021. "Integration of designing price-based demand response models into a stochastic bi-level scheduling of multiple energy carrier microgrids considering energy storage systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PA).
    14. Stenner, Karen & Frederiks, Elisha R. & Hobman, Elizabeth V. & Cook, Stephanie, 2017. "Willingness to participate in direct load control: The role of consumer distrust," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 76-88.
    15. Arman Oshnoei & Rahmat Khezri & S. M. Muyeen, 2019. "Model Predictive-Based Secondary Frequency Control Considering Heat Pump Water Heaters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-18, January.
    16. Jin, Ming & Feng, Wei & Liu, Ping & Marnay, Chris & Spanos, Costas, 2017. "MOD-DR: Microgrid optimal dispatch with demand response," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 758-776.
    17. Masoud Babaei & Ahmadreza Abazari & S. M. Muyeen, 2020. "Coordination between Demand Response Programming and Learning-Based FOPID Controller for Alleviation of Frequency Excursion of Hybrid Microgrid," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-23, January.
    18. Malik, Anam & Ravishankar, Jayashri, 2018. "A hybrid control approach for regulating frequency through demand response," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 1347-1362.
    19. Kirby, Brendan & Kueck, John & Laughner, Theo & Morris, Keith, 2008. "Spinning Reserve from Hotel Load Response," The Electricity Journal, Elsevier, vol. 21(10), pages 59-66, December.
    20. Qian Liu & Guangnu Fu & Gang Ma & Jun He & Weikang Li, 2022. "Research on Packet Control Strategy of Constant-Frequency Air-Conditioning Demand Response Based on Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-12, November.
    21. Hao, He & Sanandaji, Borhan M. & Poolla, Kameshwar & Vincent, Tyrone L., 2015. "Potentials and economics of residential thermal loads providing regulation reserve," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 115-126.
    22. Li, Bei & Roche, Robin & Paire, Damien & Miraoui, Abdellatif, 2019. "A price decision approach for multiple multi-energy-supply microgrids considering demand response," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 117-135.
    23. Bilal Masood & Song Guobing & Jamel Nebhen & Ateeq Ur Rehman & Muhammad Naveed Iqbal & Iftikhar Rasheed & Mohit Bajaj & Muhammad Shafiq & Habib Hamam, 2022. "Investigation and Field Measurements for Demand Side Management Control Technique of Smart Air Conditioners located at Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Sites," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-23, March.
    24. Lakshmanan, Venkatachalam & Marinelli, Mattia & Hu, Junjie & Bindner, Henrik W., 2016. "Provision of secondary frequency control via demand response activation on thermostatically controlled loads: Solutions and experiences from Denmark," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 470-480.
    25. Maysam Abbasi & Ehsan Abbasi & Li Li & Ricardo P. Aguilera & Dylan Lu & Fei Wang, 2023. "Review on the Microgrid Concept, Structures, Components, Communication Systems, and Control Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-36, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mohseni, Soheil & Brent, Alan C. & Kelly, Scott & Browne, Will N., 2022. "Demand response-integrated investment and operational planning of renewable and sustainable energy systems considering forecast uncertainties: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    2. Wang, Huilong & Wang, Shengwei & Tang, Rui, 2019. "Development of grid-responsive buildings: Opportunities, challenges, capabilities and applications of HVAC systems in non-residential buildings in providing ancillary services by fast demand responses," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 697-712.
    3. Zeng, Yuan & Zhang, Ruiwen & Wang, Dong & Mu, Yunfei & Jia, Hongjie, 2019. "A regional power grid operation and planning method considering renewable energy generation and load control," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 304-313.
    4. Rehman, Obaid Ur & Khan, Shahid A. & Javaid, Nadeem, 2021. "Decoupled building-to-transmission-network for frequency support in PV systems dominated grid," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 930-945.
    5. Huang, Sen & Ye, Yunyang & Wu, Di & Zuo, Wangda, 2021. "An assessment of power flexibility from commercial building cooling systems in the United States," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    6. Bomela, Walter & Zlotnik, Anatoly & Li, Jr-Shin, 2018. "A phase model approach for thermostatically controlled load demand response," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 667-680.
    7. Tang, Yi & Li, Feng & Chen, Qian & Li, Mengya & Wang, Qi & Ni, Ming & Chen, Gang, 2018. "Frequency prediction method considering demand response aggregate characteristics and control effects," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 936-944.
    8. Tang, Hong & Wang, Shengwei, 2022. "A model-based predictive dispatch strategy for unlocking and optimizing the building energy flexibilities of multiple resources in electricity markets of multiple services," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    9. Wang, Huilong & Ding, Zhikun & Tang, Rui & Chen, Yongbao & Fan, Cheng & Wang, Jiayuan, 2022. "A machine learning-based control strategy for improved performance of HVAC systems in providing large capacity of frequency regulation service," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    10. Wolsink, Maarten, 2020. "Distributed energy systems as common goods: Socio-political acceptance of renewables in intelligent microgrids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    11. Amar Kumar Barik & Dulal Chandra Das & Abdul Latif & S. M. Suhail Hussain & Taha Selim Ustun, 2021. "Optimal Voltage–Frequency Regulation in Distributed Sustainable Energy-Based Hybrid Microgrids with Integrated Resource Planning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-26, May.
    12. Liu, Xiangfei & Ren, Mifeng & Yang, Zhile & Yan, Gaowei & Guo, Yuanjun & Cheng, Lan & Wu, Chengke, 2022. "A multi-step predictive deep reinforcement learning algorithm for HVAC control systems in smart buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    13. Lankeshwara, Gayan & Sharma, Rahul & Yan, Ruifeng & Saha, Tapan K., 2022. "A hierarchical control scheme for residential air-conditioning loads to provide real-time market services under uncertainties," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    14. Wagner, Lukas Peter & Reinpold, Lasse Matthias & Kilthau, Maximilian & Fay, Alexander, 2023. "A systematic review of modeling approaches for flexible energy resources," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    15. Swaminathan, Siddharth & Pavlak, Gregory S. & Freihaut, James, 2020. "Sizing and dispatch of an islanded microgrid with energy flexible buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    16. Oshnoei, Arman & Kheradmandi, Morteza & Blaabjerg, Frede & Hatziargyriou, Nikos D. & Muyeen, S.M. & Anvari-Moghaddam, Amjad, 2022. "Coordinated control scheme for provision of frequency regulation service by virtual power plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).
    17. Yao Yao & Peichao Zhang & Sijie Chen, 2019. "Aggregating Large-Scale Generalized Energy Storages to Participate in the Energy and Regulation Market," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-22, March.
    18. Jarvinen, J. & Goldsworthy, M. & White, S. & Pudney, P. & Belusko, M. & Bruno, F., 2021. "Evaluating the utility of passive thermal storage as an energy storage system on the Australian energy market," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    19. Tang, Hong & Wang, Shengwei & Li, Hangxin, 2021. "Flexibility categorization, sources, capabilities and technologies for energy-flexible and grid-responsive buildings: State-of-the-art and future perspective," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    20. Rahmat Khezri & Arman Oshnoei & Mehrdad Tarafdar Hagh & SM Muyeen, 2018. "Coordination of Heat Pumps, Electric Vehicles and AGC for Efficient LFC in a Smart Hybrid Power System via SCA-Based Optimized FOPID Controllers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-21, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:207:y:2025:i:c:s1364032124006841. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.