Introduction

As the global energy landscape rapidly shifts towards variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind, maintaining grid stability and reliability becomes increasingly complex. The traditional approach of solely relying on centralized generation to balance supply and demand is no longer sufficient. Demand-Side Flexibility (DSF) emerges as a crucial enabler for this transition, transforming electricity consumers from passive recipients to active participants in grid management. By empowering homes, businesses, and industrial facilities to adjust their electricity consumption patterns in response to price signals or grid needs, DSF provides a dynamic and cost-effective resource that can alleviate grid congestion, reduce peak demand, and integrate higher penetrations of renewables. This paradigm shift requires a deep understanding of the technologies, market mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks that facilitate flexible demand. Without a comprehensive grasp of Demand-Side Flexibility and Grid Services, energy professionals risk missing out on significant economic opportunities, hindering decarbonization efforts, and failing to build resilient energy systems, underscoring the vital need for specialized expertise in this transformative domain. This comprehensive training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master Demand-Side Flexibility and Grid Services.

This training course is meticulously designed to empower utility professionals, system operators, energy managers, technology developers, aggregators, policy makers, and large energy consumers with the theoretical understanding and practical insights necessary to effectively harness Demand-Side Flexibility and deliver Grid Services. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of various demand response programs, learn about the role of smart meters, IoT devices, and advanced analytics in enabling flexibility, and acquire hands-on experience in evaluating the potential of diverse demand-side resources. The course will delve into topics such as electricity market design for demand response, technical capabilities of flexible loads (e.g., EVs, HVAC, industrial processes), stacking multiple revenue streams from grid services, cybersecurity for distributed energy resources, and the development of compelling business cases for demand-side participation. By mastering the principles and practical application of Demand-Side Flexibility and Grid Services, participants will be prepared to optimize energy consumption, enhance grid resilience, create new revenue opportunities, and contribute significantly to building a cleaner, more efficient, and robust energy future.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Utility Engineers (Planning, Operations, Customer Programs)
• System Operators (TSOs, DSOs)
• Energy Managers (Commercial & Industrial)
• Demand Response Aggregators
• Smart Grid and IoT Technology Developers
• Policy Makers and Regulators
• Building Automation and HVAC Professionals
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Developers
• Consultants in Energy Management and Smart Grids
• Large Commercial and Industrial Energy Consumers

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts of demand-side flexibility and its importance in modern grids.
• Learn about the various types of demand response programs and their applications.
• Acquire skills in identifying and assessing flexible loads across different sectors.
• Comprehend techniques for aggregating and managing distributed energy resources (DERs) for grid services.
• Explore strategies for participating in electricity markets with demand-side flexibility.
• Understand the role of smart meters, IoT, and data analytics in enabling DSF.
• Gain insights into monetizing demand-side flexibility through various revenue streams.
• Develop a practical understanding of policy and regulatory frameworks supporting demand-side flexibility.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Grid Flexibility and Demand-Side Resources

• The evolving grid: challenges of renewables, electrification, and peak demand.
• Definition of grid flexibility and its different forms.
• Introduction to Demand-Side Flexibility (DSF) and Demand Response (DR).
• The transition from traditional DSM to dynamic DSF.
• Benefits of DSF: cost reduction, grid stability, carbon reduction.

Module 2: Types of Demand Response Programs and Markets

• Price-based DR: Time-of-Use (TOU), Critical Peak Pricing (CPP), Real-Time Pricing (RTP).
• Incentive-based DR: interruptible load, direct load control, capacity payments.
• Emergency vs. economic demand response programs.
• Wholesale electricity markets for DR participation (capacity, energy, ancillary services).
• Retail DR programs and utility-led initiatives.

Module 3: Flexible Loads and Demand-Side Technologies

• Residential flexible loads: smart thermostats, water heaters, EV charging.
• Commercial flexible loads: HVAC systems, lighting, refrigeration.
• Industrial flexible loads: pumps, motors, process heating, manufacturing schedules.
• Role of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs): solar PV, battery storage, EVs.
• Enabling technologies: smart meters, IoT devices, building energy management systems (BEMS).

Module 4: Aggregation and Management of Distributed Flexibility

• The role of demand response aggregators (DRAs) and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs).
• Technologies for communication and control of aggregated loads.
• Forecasting flexible load availability and response.
• Algorithms for optimizing dispatch and scheduling.
• Data privacy and cybersecurity considerations for DER aggregation.

Module 5: Grid Services Provided by Demand-Side Flexibility

• Peak demand reduction and load shifting.
• Ancillary services: frequency regulation, voltage support.
• Capacity market contributions and resource adequacy.
• Transmission and distribution deferral services.
• Black start and grid recovery support (in specific cases).

Module 6: Economic and Business Case Development for DSF

• Valuing demand-side flexibility: avoided costs, market revenues.
• Calculating payback periods and return on investment (ROI) for DSF projects.
• Understanding utility tariffs, demand charges, and incentives.
• Stacking multiple revenue streams from different grid services.
• Developing compelling business cases for various stakeholders.

Module 7: Policy, Regulatory, and Market Design for DSF

• Key regulatory frameworks enabling or hindering DSF (e.g., FERC orders, state policies).
• Evolution of electricity market rules to integrate DSF.
• Challenges in market participation: minimum size, measurement and verification.
• Role of non-wires alternatives (NWAs) and grid modernization initiatives.
• International best practices in demand-side policy.

Module 8: Implementation Challenges, Best Practices, and Future Trends

• Customer engagement and program design considerations.
• Measurement, Verification, and Evaluation (MV&E) of DR performance.
• Lessons learned from successful DSF deployments.
• Emerging trends: blockchain for energy trading, AI/ML for advanced optimization.
• The future of the grid with ubiquitous demand-side flexibility.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.