# Demand Response Requirements from the Cultural, Social, and Behavioral Perspectives
## 6 Discussion, Solutions, and Outlook
### Discussion  
It is vital to identify the factors that influence energy consumption behaviors to make adjustments. Considering humans' role in the energy consumption, this paper investigated the factors affecting electricity consumption behaviors. Moreover, non-technical needs for DR implementation were identified.  
In a smart grid context, fundamental barriers related to intrinsic human nature (cultural, social, and behavioral obstacles) were introduced. Industrial and residential participants in DR programs suffer from some of these barriers. The conceptual framework offered by the extensive cultural, social, and behavioral classifications and analyses, addressed the core features of DR. In addition to theoretical barriers, special attention was also given to practical aspects for implementing DR programs. This comprehensive classification could serve as a foundation for future research and the integration of DR, making it a noteworthy contribution to the power system research area.  
The main contribution of this paper was to fill a research gap in the present literature on DR challenges, issues, and barriers by providing cultural, social, and behavioral analyses of the fundamental barriers of DR. In addition, an analytical model was proposed, and  
Figure 3: Relation between electricity consumption and different factors.  
the relationships between numerous factors and electricity consumption behaviors were also discussed.  
Some limitations, barriers, and research gaps were also observed, while conducting this research. Information barriers and lack of understanding of DR programs have impeded DSM programs. End-user's lack of trust and DR awareness allows a third party to control their processes and equipment. Behavioral and informational barriers and lack of understanding are also some of other challenges. Moreover, the lack of DR experts for designing and implementing the appropriate programs may be a barrier within power utilities. For example, power system planners stated that they currently do not have enough information about DR needs in their planning models. In addition, many people worldwide have little to no knowledge about the procedure of the electricity markets. Indeed, on average, people are not aware of the technical issues of DR programs.  
In order to be motivated to participate in DR programs, and change the habits of people, information needs to be supplied to increase their knowledge levels. Even during a DR event, the participation levels may be decreased, due to the lack of information on how the system works, e.g., inadequate information or knowledge about real-time pricing, using of the interfaces, and the contracts. The lack of awareness of grid issues and DR impacts also reduces the likelihood of customers' behavioral changes. Because large investments mostly indirectly impact the customer, they might not realize that their behavior affects the energy system.  
Collecting data on what proportion of consumers continue to use DR programs is just as crucial as analyzing the acceptance rates. There are also some concerns about continuing to participate in DR programs once a customer's energy consumption behavior has been changed. Some analysts believe that customers will eventually return to their old behaviors. Therefore, examining the continuous usage of DR technologies is a critical task.  
Furthermore, the combination of small electrical loads and complex internal decision-making procedures can hinder the adoption of DR by major commercial and public sector companies. Moreover, the firm's ability to participate in DR is further limited by hidden costs of involvement and the amount of energy usage within different organizations.