OIES Podcast – Demand-side flexibility: state of play and future trends

In this latest OIES podcast from the Electricity Programme, Dimitra Apostolopoulou talks to Senior Research Fellow David Robinson about why demand-side flexibility has shifted from a niche concept to a structural pillar of deeply decarbonised systems.  We explore how smart electric-vehicle charging, heat pumps, household batteries, and digital platforms are reshaping the balance between supply and demand; why aggregation is essential for small assets to compete with conventional generation; and how electricity markets may evolve as flexibility increasingly sets the margin. The discussion highlights the critical distinction between implicit price responses and explicit market participation, noting that automation is key to consumer engagement. The conversation also examines grid congestion, AI-driven optimisation, and regulatory debates on independent aggregators and compensation models worldwide. Ultimately, we argue that integrating flexible demand is essential for decarbonisation and reducing long-term infrastructure costs.

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