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DEMAND RESPONSE

Just flexibility?

Moving to more renewable energy generation will require more flexible electricity use. Now, research shows that flexibility products like time of use rates can hit some groups harder than others, with some vulnerable groups facing disproportionately negative financial and health impacts. However, the picture is by no means simple.

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Correspondence to Michael J. Fell.

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Fell, M.J. Just flexibility?. Nat Energy 5, 6–7 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-019-0510-3

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