More cash, less hassle.
Traditionally, grid operators and utilities balance supply and demand using only the supply side of the market equation.
Power plants were turned on or ramped up to meet rising demand but demand wasn’t included as an option to balance the grid. Now, demand can curtail power or turn on local resources (e.g., battery storage, an emergency generator) to meet grid needs in concert with power plants.
With technology, market evolution, and attractive commercial offerings for customers, demand response has become an increasingly important tool for grid operators and utilities to balance the grid.