Research on Carbon-Reduction-Oriented Demand Response Technology Based on Generalized Nodal Carbon Emission Flow Theory

The decarbonization of power systems plays a great part in the carbon neutrality goal. Currently, researchers have explored reducing carbon in power systems in terms of the optimization of energy supply structure and operation strategies, but ignored the carbon reduction potential of users. To investigate the carbon reduction capability of users and further promote power system decarbonization through the active response of electricity loads, this paper proposes a carbon-reduction-oriented demand response (CRODR) technology based on generalized nodal carbon emission flow theory. First, the framework of the CRODR mechanism is established to provide an interaction baseline for users facing carbon reduction guiding signals. Secondly, the generalized nodal carbon emission flow theory is introduced to provide a calculation method for the guiding signals, considering dynamic electricity carbon emission factors with various spatiotemporal resolutions. Then, a matrix-based method is proposed to efficiently solve the carbon emission flow and obtain the guiding signals. On this basis, an optimal load-regulating model to help users meet their carbon reduction goals is built, and a carbon reduction benefit-evaluation method is proposed. Case studies on China’s national power system and a textile company verify that CRODR technology can realize efficient carbon reduction through load shifting while maintaining the total power consumption of users. The proposed CRODR technology is expected to provide a theoretical basis and guiding mechanism for promoting carbon reduction throughout the entire power system.