Source-Load Coordinated Low-Carbon Demand Response Based on Dynamic Carbon Emission Factors

[Objective] To improve consumer engagement in carbon emission reduction within the power system and to address the insufficient behavioral incentives for users under current carbon emission reduction mechanisms，this paper proposes a source-load coordinated low-carbon demand response mechanism that reflects consumers' carbon responsibility and incentivizes proactive adjustments in their electricity usage. [Methods] A dynamic carbon emission factor calculation method based on carbon emission flow theory is applied to quantify the carbon emission levels caused by different consumers' electricity consumption behaviors at various time intervals. This factor serves as a guiding signal，prompting consumers to adjust their electricity consumption strategies. A bilevel optimization model is established，incorporating source-side low-carbon economic dispatch and load-side low-carbon demand response： The upper level regulates power generation plans on the supply side through carbon trading mechanisms and carbon capture power plant modeling，while the lower level guides consumers to minimize overall energy costs based on dynamic carbon emission factors and electricity price signals，thus achieving source-load coordinated emissions reduction. [Results] A case study on the IEEE 39-node system demonstrates that the proposed method achieves source-load coordinated optimization while reducing the system's total carbon emissions，increasing the consumption rate of renewable energy sources such as wind power，and effectively mitigating the peak-to-valley load differential. Compared to price-based demand response，low-carbon demand response shows superior performance in terms of reduced consumer costs，lower carbon emissions，and enhanced system operational stability. [Conclusions] The source-load coordinated low-carbon demand response mechanism proposed in this paper，based on dynamic carbon emission factors，quantifies consumers' carbon responsibilities and constructs a dual-signal guidance mechanism combining carbon and electricity prices，thereby motivating active load-side participation in carbon reduction and effectively reducing system carbon emissions and operational costs.