Emission-based demand response in energy system optimisations—A systematic literature review

Using the flexibility of energy demand can assist in further integrating and utilising renewable energies, thereby reducing carbon emissions and contributing to global decarbonisation. The reduction of emissions can be achieved by shifting the flexible energy demand to times of low emissions in energy systems. The highest emission reduction potentials can be obtained if these shifts are even optimised for emissions. We refer to this concept as emission-based demand response (eDR). In this review paper, we conduct a systematic literature review to identify and assess emission reduction potentials when using eDR in optimisations, the accompanying characteristics of the energy system models and remaining research gaps. We include and evaluate 117 literature findings from Scopus and Web of Science. The reviewed literature shows that the emission reduction potentials can be significant, with an average of 17.8 % and a range from 0.1 % to 93.9 %. They are heterogeneous and highly dependent on the energy system characteristics, such as the variability of the emission factors of the supplied energy and the flexibility available in the energy system. However, emissions are typically, i.e., in 94 %, only optimised alongside other objective functions, most commonly cost, and there is often no focus on employing demand response (DR) for environmental reasons, i.e., on eDR. • Review of emission-based demand response (eDR) in optimised energy systems. • Assessment of emission reduction potentials when using eDR. • Contextualisation of the accompanying model characteristics. • Identification of research needs for eDR in energy system optimisations. • There is often no specific focus on using DR for environmental reasons.