Urban Demand Flexibility

Published by RMI
Carbon Benefits of Demand Flexibility
Demand flexibility shows significant potential to reduce carbon emissions throughout all stages of the grid transition. With the right signal structure, laws such as New York City’s Local Law 97 (LL97) could enable demand flexibility, which has the potential to cut NYC building emissions by 40% or so as the grid approaches full decarbonization. RMI’s The Carbon Emissions Impact of Demand Flexibility report addresses the specifics.

1. Demand flexibility reduces peak demand, providing health and environmental benefits

2. Demand flexibility supports electrification that is beneficial for buildings and the grid

3. Demand flexibility could unlock an additional cost-effective path to LL97 compliance via a time-of-use carbon metric