## 5 Conclusions  
This paper has investigated the effects of DR programs and utilization of RES on financial compensation to the DSO, aggregator, and end users in a day-ahead energy market. Results obtained have shown the benefits of demand response and incorporation of renewable energy resources by both the DSO and end users. The aim of this research has been, among others, to highlight the positive impact of both demand response programs and the incorporation of renewable energy sources into the energy mix from a financial perspective. In particular, a case study of a single residential home with up to six occupants in Johannesburg, South Africa is considered. The aim of this simulation is to highlight the promising potential of DR to augment the ageing and struggling electricity distribution system in South Africa. In particular, there has been an increased uptake of EVs across the country in recent years. This research aims to encourage greater utilization of the potential of EVs to contribute significantly to the energy mix in South Africa. This has been highlighted by the encouraging simulation results obtained when renewable energy sources are adopted by both DSO and end users. The paper has also highlighted the importance of DR aggregators in maximizing benefits to both the DSO and end users as compared to other energy pricing schemes, such as dynamic pricing. From the results obtained, it can be seen that the following aggregator purposes have been achieved:  
1. Effective demand side management services have been provided to the DSO. This can be proved by the reduction in consumption of end users, which translates to cost savings for the DSO.
2. Cost savings in terms of both total electricity demand and unit energy as end users participate in DR programs.  
The above have also resulted in flattening of the load profile for consumers, which results in greater energy savings during peak hours.  
Therefore, from the research aim and objectives, the following conclusions can be made:  
1. DR aggregators have a positive impact in terms of maximizing financial benefits to both the DSO and end users. In particular, they ensure both unit energy savings and reduction in demand for end users while flattening the energy use profile during peak hours.
2. Aggregators have maximized the benefits of incorporating renewable energy sources on both the DSO and end user side of the energy supply chain. Competition among aggregators results in the most cost-effective implementation of RES for both the DSO and end users.
3. From the perspective of the end user, the financial benefits of participating in DR programs are significant in spite of the inconvenience caused by load shifting and curtailment. This is an incentive for end users to participate more actively in DR programs.  
* The effect of plug-in electric vehicles has been observed as an improvement in load demand profile for end users during off-peak periods since they are largely in V2G mode.  
While this paper has considered competition among five DR aggregators in the DA market, it has not considered the effect of variation of either the number or cluster size of the aggregators in the competition. We have also considered a day in the winter season since the energy demand is usually higher. However, it would be interesting to investigate the robustness of the proposed approach for the summer season as well. These will form the basis of future research.  
I.O.E. carried out the analysis and simulations under the supervision of Y.S.;[PERSON] proofread and confirmed the results. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research is partially supported by the South African National Research Foundation (Nos: 112108, 112142); South African National Research Foundation Incentive Grant (No. 95687); Eskom Tertiary Education Support Programme Grant; Research grant from URC of University of Johannesburg.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest.