A review of demand-side management: Reconsidering theoretical framework

Demand-side management (DSM) has a crucial role in the attainment of sustainable energy that aims to optimize the energy utilization and mitigate emissions. Hence, DSM enhances the flexibility in the power system operation and facilitates low carbon transition in the electricity generation. Recently, the conventional terminology and strategies of DSM have been reformed to match with deregulation of energy environment. Furthermore, the increasing penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) as well as the advent of smart grids have diversified the techniques and methods of DSM. This paper aggregates the expressions and methodologies about DSM subjects used by the literature and presents explicit definitions of the relevant concepts. In contrast with other review papers in DSM arena, this paper proposes a novel theoretical framework which aims to unify the terminology, concepts, and modalities associated with the literature. A comprehensive categorization of DSM strategies is presented, the scopes are clarified, and the relevant modalities are explicated to attain the unequivocalness in terminology. The evolution of DSM as well as state of the art concepts are considered in the organization of this paper. Moreover, the methods of DSM are reviewed under the paradigms applied in the accomplished classification.