LAUSR

Abstract Existing literature shows that understanding demand response potential plays a key role to promote renewable energy consumption and improve power system flexibility. However, our knowledge is limited in the power shifting technical demand response potential covering all the secondary sectors and the achievable demand response potential of secondary sectors. To address this gap, this study aims to: (1) design a questionnaire to assess electricity load shifting technical demand response potential and achievable demand response potential; (2) conduct a case study of western Inner Mongolia. Covering all the secondary sectors; and (3) study demand response potential using the methods of qualitative analysis based on power load curves and face to face interviews with local enterprises, and quantitative statistics of questionnaire responses. The results show that, in secondary sectors, over half of the enterprises’ power load shifting technical demand response potential is less than 10%. Additionally, approximately three-quarters of enterprises in secondary sectors will use other energy sources to replace electricity when electricity sale price increases by 30%. These results can help power companies and government to identify adjusted power load potential and corresponding main consumers for demand response strategies to promote the utility grid safety and renewable energy consumption.