# Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Retail within Smart Cities through Demand-Side Management Models
## 3 Proposed Method
### DSM Practices and Concepts for the Retail Industry  
There are various approaches and models for DSM. Based on the references [38; 39; 40; 41] from previous relevant studies, we have compiled possible models, which may include the following. (1) A mediator model: energy management service (EMS) providers act as mediators, executing tasks such as energy management and demand response on behalf of electricity suppliers, and delivering products and services directly to end-users. (2) An indirect provision model, which provides products and services to electricity suppliers (who in turn provide energy analysis results and services to end-users), and offers products, analysis, consulting, and customer management services to electricity suppliers. (3) A direct provision model, which directly provides products and services to end-users. (4) A mediator model for integrated demand management, which combines energy efficiency programs provided by energy service providers with demand response programs provided by electricity suppliers to serve end-users. (5) A direct provision service model for integrated energy storage, which integrates energy management systems with other energy equipment such as solar systems, energy storage, and electric vehicles used by customers. (6) A direct provision service model with an incentive mechanism, which provides incentives such as subsidies, point discounts, cash subsidies/rewards, etc. upon achieving energy efficiency improvement and demand response events. There are six DSM models, with the first being the energy management systems provider (the Energy Service Company (ESCO)), the second and third models not requiring intermediaries. The \"mediator model for integrated demand management\" within the fourth model is based on the aggregator as the core, coordinating between electricity consumers and electricity providers, and is the model adopted in this study. The fifth being an energy-based energy storage and creation model, and the sixth being a reward model for end-use electricity consumers. The aggregator model is a pyramid-like DSM energy management approach, and previous research has already studied scattered electricity consumers [42]. The model used in this study is the mediator model for integrated demand management. The aggregator is the main actor in this model, finding retailers to participate in the model and helping to notify them of the demand from the electricity company. The aggregator also establishes an energy management system for retailers, providing them with the service of temporarily stopping electricity use when the electricity company has demand. Retailers can accumulate electricity during the temporary shutdown, and if it \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l c c} \hline \hline  & **Item** & **Number of Stores** & **\%** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{What energy-saving measures are currently being used?} & Passive measures such as promoting turning off lights & 53 & 94.6 \\ \cline{2-4}  & Monitoring and adjusting electricity expenses & 28 & 66.7 \\ \cline{2-4}  & Implementing energy management systems & 7 & 16.7 \\ \cline{2-4}  & Upgrading equipment & 24 & 57.1 \\ \cline{2-4}  & Installing new energy-saving facilities & 26 & 61.9 \\ \cline{2-4}  & Others & 3 & 7.1 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Retail sector energy efficiency awareness ratio. meets the range specified by the electricity company, the electricity company will provide a reward to the aggregator, who will then share it with the retailers. In this model, the electricity company can stably provide electricity by temporarily stopping some electricity use during peak hours, and the aggregator and retailers can receive rewards. More importantly, energy resources can be properly utilized, creating a sustainable and continuous information energy management model. From a governmental perspective, there is an almost game-like interaction between aggregators and dispersed consumers [42].