Researcher Breakfast at UUniCORN: Why are policy instruments failing? On the social acceptance of demand-side flexibility within the energy transition

Increased demand-side flexibility – adjusting electricity consumption to match supply and thereby reducing strain on the power system – is seen as a necessity to enable the expansion of renewable energy and the electrification of society. However, despite the fact that the ability to shift demand is crucial for a reliable, affordable, and efficient electricity system, progress remains slow.

This morning at UUniCORN, Fouad El Gohary, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, helps us understand the social acceptance of demand-side flexibility in the light of the energy transition.

Fouad has reviewed current policy strategies and discusses why these often yield limited results in practice. Based on recent research, he highlights people's preferences and attitudes towards various pricing schemes and flexibility measures. We conclude by reflecting on remaining knowledge gaps and future research agendas to design flexible approaches that are both effective and socially acceptable.

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Come share a coffee and your thoughts with us. Please register by Wednesday, 22 April, if you would like coffee/tea and a sandwich; otherwise, no pre-registration is required.

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Read more about the projects Fouad El Gohary is working on.