The IEA has published Scaling Up Demand Flexibility: From peak management to efficient system operation. This report has been developed as part of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks (3DEN) initiative to examine the growing importance of demand flexibility in electricity systems amid rising demand, increased renewable energy integration and the electrification of power systems. Case studies in chronological order to examine the changing role of demand 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 realise these benefits, the report emphasises the role for smart technologies, inclusive policies, regulatory reforms and consumer engagement to scale flexibility and move away from emergency interventions, towards a more strategic and efficient system capability.
The executive summary is available here.
The full report is available here.
External link
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 
The IEA’s latest report is a thoughtful contribution to the discussion
on demand flexibility. It contains much that is technically correct and
several useful observations, particularly concerning industrial demand
response, digital control and the value of flexibility during periods of
system stress. However, after reading the report one is left with an
uncomfortable question. “Has the report started with the conclusion that
“demand flexibility markets” are the answer, and then selected
assumptions and case studies that naturally lead to that conclusion? ”
That is rather different from beginning with the engineering question:
“What is the cheapest and most robust way of operating a future
electricity system?” The observant will note that those two questions
are not the same.
I have attached the full 3 page critique of the report. The IEA needs to
focus much less on “markets” & “smart” & a lot more on engineering. Note
also, the recent EEA report on EU & Renewables shows distrubing
parallels with the IEA report, in which it is assumed that markets are
always the answer. One only need look at elec prices in EU markets to
see how well “the market” is delivering on the need to price elec @ the
cost of production.
Good point about your uncomfortable question. The IEA really thinks demand flexibility is the answer Your engineering question is exactly where it should start.