- Emergency Response
- Peaking Response
- Frequency Control
- Load Shifting
Emergency Response is used when there is not enough electricity supply to meet consumers’ needs. This is usually called on if major generators break down, during summer peaks when demand is unusually high.
Peaking Response involves energy users reducing demand or increasing generation based on the wholesale electricity price, which fluctuates in response to supply and demand. In today’s volatile electricity market, power prices can spike to $16,600 / MWh.
With ancillary services energy users are paid to provide Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS), by reducing demand to keep the grid operating within its usual frequency range of around 50 Hertz.
Loads with high levels of flexible demand can participate in regular Load Shifting demand response. This means increasing demand during times of low prices, usually during the middle of the day, and decreasing a corresponding amount of demand during times of high prices, usually the evening peak period.