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The Power Regulation Characteristics, Key Challenges, and Solution Pathways of Typical Flexible Resources in Regional Energy Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Houze Jiang

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
    Tianjin Key Laboratory of Built Environment and Energy Application, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China)

  • Shilei Lu

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
    Tianjin Key Laboratory of Built Environment and Energy Application, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China)

  • Boyang Li

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
    Tianjin Key Laboratory of Built Environment and Energy Application, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China)

  • Ran Wang

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
    Tianjin Key Laboratory of Built Environment and Energy Application, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China)

Abstract

The low-carbon transition of the global energy system is an urgent necessity to address climate change and meet growing energy demand. As a major source of energy consumption and emissions, buildings play a key role in this transition. This study systematically analyzes the flexible resources of building energy systems and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) interaction technologies, and mainly focuses on the regulation characteristics and coordination mechanisms of distributed energy supply (renewable energy and multi-energy cogeneration), energy storage (electric/thermal/cooling), and flexible loads (air conditioning and electric vehicles) within regional energy systems. The study reveals that distributed renewable energy and multi-energy cogeneration technologies form an integrated architecture through a complementary “output fluctuation mitigation–cascade energy supply” mechanism, enabling the coordinated optimization of building energy efficiency and grid regulation. Electricity and thermal energy storage serve as dual pillars of flexibility along the “fast response–economic storage” dimension. Air conditioning loads and electric vehicles (EVs) complement each other via thermodynamic regulation and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technologies, constructing a dual-dimensional regulation mode in terms of both power and time. Ultimately, a dynamic balance system integrating sources, loads, and storage is established, driven by the spatiotemporal complementarity of multi-energy flows. This paper proposes an innovative framework that optimizes energy consumption and enhances grid stability by coordinating distributed renewable energy, energy storage, and flexible loads across multiple time scales. This approach offers a new perspective for achieving sustainable and flexible building energy systems. In addition, this paper explores the application of demand response policies in building energy systems, analyzing the role of policy incentives and market mechanisms in promoting building energy flexibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Houze Jiang & Shilei Lu & Boyang Li & Ran Wang, 2025. "The Power Regulation Characteristics, Key Challenges, and Solution Pathways of Typical Flexible Resources in Regional Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-44, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:14:p:3830-:d:1704884
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Papaefthymiou, Georgios & Haesen, Edwin & Sach, Thobias, 2018. "Power System Flexibility Tracker: Indicators to track flexibility progress towards high-RES systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 1026-1035.
    2. Leinauer, Christina & Schott, Paul & Fridgen, Gilbert & Keller, Robert & Ollig, Philipp & Weibelzahl, Martin, 2022. "Obstacles to demand response: Why industrial companies do not adapt their power consumption to volatile power generation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    3. Gils, Hans Christian, 2016. "Economic potential for future demand response in Germany – Modeling approach and case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 401-415.
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