Expanding renewable energy by implementing Demand Response

We evaluate the impacts of DR in future electricity systems and to what extent they can facilitate the spread of high shares of renewable energy while maintaining a given level of reliability. We propose an approach based on long-term planning models, the MARKAL/TIMES models and our analysis is demonstrated by the case of Reunion Island, which aims to produce electricity using 100% renewable energy sources by 2030. We demonstrate that higher shares of intermittent sources weaken reliability of supply and can be counter balanced through demand response solutions. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.