Scaling Up DemandFlexibility From peak management to efficient systemoperation INTERNATIONAL ENERGYAGENCY The IEA examines thefull spectrumof energy issuesincluding oil, gas andcoal supply anddemand, renewableenergy technologies,electricity markets,energy efficiency,access to energy,demand sidemanagement and muchmore. Through its work,the IEA advocatespolicies that willenhance the reliability,affordability andsustainability of energyin its32Member countries,13Association countriesand beyond. IEAAccessioncountries: IEAMembercountries: ChileColombiaCosta RicaBrazilIsraelRomania AustraliaAustriaBelgiumCanadaCzech RepublicDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyJapanKoreaLatviaLithuaniaLuxembourgMexicoNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPolandPortugalSlovak RepublicSpainSwedenSwitzerlandRepublic of TürkiyeUnited KingdomUnited States IEAAssociationcountries: ArgentinaChinaEgyptIndiaIndonesiaKenyaMoroccoSenegalSingaporeSouth AfricaThailandUkraineViet Nam This publication, as well asany dataand map includedherein,are without prejudiceto the status of orsovereignty over any territory,to the delimitation ofinternational frontiers andboundaries and to the nameof any territory, city or area. The EuropeanCommission alsoparticipates in thework of the IEA Source: IEA.International Energy AgencyWebsite: www.iea.org Abstract This report has been developed as part of the International Energy Agency (IEA)Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks (3DEN) initiative to examine thegrowingimportance of demand flexibility in electricity systems amid risingdemand, increased renewable energy integration and the electrification of powersystems. Case studies in chronological order to examine the changing role ofdemand flexibility over time from South Africa (2025), Thailand (2030) and Ireland(2035) demonstrate how demand flexibility improves reliability, reduces costs,supports renewables integration and manages network constraints. To realisethese benefits, the report emphasises the role for smart technologies, inclusivepolicies, regulatory reforms and consumer engagement to scale flexibility andmove away from emergency interventions, towards a more strategic and efficientsystem capability. Acknowledgements The International Energy Agency (IEA) gratefully acknowledges the Italian Ministryof Environment and Energy Security for its support of this project, both in thecontext of its contributions to the IEA Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks(3DEN) initiative on electricity grid modernisation and digitalisation and in thecontextof its Clean Energy Transitions Programme.Special thanks go toAlessandro Guerri, Federica Fricano, Alessandra Fidanza, Annalidia Pansini, andEmanuela Vignola. The IEA would also like to thank the Italian Ministry of ForeignAffairs and International Cooperation for its strategic guidance and collaboration,particularly from Valeria Piazza. A number of 3DEN partners at the United NationsEnvironmentProgramme,notably Myriem Touhami Kadiri,Aarth Saraph,Emilia Cabrera Ramirez and Carolina Merighi, also provided valuable support. This report was developed by the IEA Office of Energy Efficiency and InclusiveTransitionsin the Directorate of Energy Markets and Security.BrendanReidenbach led, co-ordinated and co-authored the report. Chris Matthew led theanalysis and co-authored the report. Key contributions were made by FedericoCallioni, Sam Gee and former IEA analysts, Doriane Senat, Naomi Rossetti andAlina Ho. Power system modelling was undertaken by the IEA Electricity Systems andMarkets Division, with key contributions from Jack Gregory, Edward McDonaldand former IEA analyst, Eleni Karanikola. Valuable comments were provided byEren Çam and Marc Casanovas, with support from Maria Sicilia, Head of Division.Demand and flexibility modelling was undertaken by the Demand Sectors Unit ofthe IEA Energy Modelling Office, with key contributions from Anthony Vautrin andSangitha Harmsen, along with support from Stéphanie Bouckaert, Head of Unit. Keisuke Sadamori, Director of the Energy Markets and Security Directorate; BrianMotherway, Head of the IEA Office of Energy Efficiency and Inclusive Transitions;andJérôme Bilodeau,Senior Programme Manager,provided support andstrategic direction. Dennis Hesseling, Head of the IEA Gas and Coal MarketsDivision, provided valuable comments and input. The IEA Office of Global EnergyRelations offered additional support, in particular Simon Rolland, Rita Madeira,Ranya Oualid, Johanna Dahl and Claire Lesieur. The IEA Communications and Digital Office (CDO) produced this publication, withsupport from Jethro Mullen, Head of CDO, Alexia Amado, Poeli Bojorquez, CurtisBrainard, Astrid Dumond, Gaëlle Bruneau and Liv Gaunt. Special thanks go toJanice Griffiths for editing the report. The IEA would like to thank the many senior government officials and experts fromgovernment agencies in Ireland, South Africa and Thailand who contributed to thisstudy by providing data, i