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By Molly Jerrard, Head of Flexibility at Enel North America

Molly has over 14 years of experience in demand response and oversees Enel’s demand response business line in the US and Canada. She has a passion for carbon-free energy and sees demand response as a captivating area of focus – it is the intersection of customers, markets, regulators, utilities, and data. As part of the Enel leadership team since 2022, she has helped demand response evolve into not just “emergency DR” but to include advanced flexibility solutions such as Ancillary Services participation, Asset Management services, and VPP integrations.

Modest to no load growth. Low energy prices. High reliability. These terms defined the U.S. electric grid for more than a decade, when the grid operated with traditional resource planning and deployment. Flexible resources, like demand response, were often treated as a “just-in-case” rather than a necessity.

That era is over. Electrification, data center expansion, aging grid infrastructure, new storage technologies, and increasingly extreme weather are all changing how grid operators keep supply and demand in balance. Demand is rising quickly, resource adequacy is a growing concern, and energy costs are increasing rapidly, placing pressure on both grid operators and consumers.

In this environment, the ability for grid operators to dynamically adjust demand has become essential for grid reliability. Demand response can no longer be ignored – it is key to delivering that needed flexibility and is evolving into a vital, “always-on” resource. Enel North America is helping make this transition possible by unlocking market access, helping companies turn their flexibility into revenue and cost savings, and simplifying participation. 

Here are five trends showing how demand response continues to contribute to the grid of the future – and how Enel is helping participants play an active role in supporting reliability while capturing the benefits of a more dynamic grid.

#1: Demand response is being dispatched more often – and more strategically

Demand response is no longer a “once-in-a-blue-moon” emergency resource. It is now an integral part of the grid’s toolkit for year-round system management. In 2025, many regions experienced a record number of demand response events – not only during peak periods like summer, but also when generation assets were down. Grid operators need demand response for reliability now more than ever – and are dispatching it like never before as they manage tighter supply margins and more volatile conditions.

Companies that participate in demand response stand to earn significant revenue from this increased dispatch frequency. At Enel, we are helping our customers evolve how they participate by enabling more repeatable curtailment strategies leveraging automation systems – making it easier for them to succeed in a new reality where demand response is called more frequently.

#2: Energy costs are rising – but so is demand response earning potential

Energy costs are rising sharply across many regions, and consumers are feeling a pinch on their energy bills for the first time in decades. While these rising costs create new challenges, they are also creating new opportunities – when wholesale prices increase, so does the value of flexible capacity. 

As a result, many demand response programs are compensating participants at record-high rates, especially in regions like PJM. Companies that can be smarter about when and how they use energy and respond to grid signals can offset rising energy costs with increased demand response earnings. At Enel, it’s our job to help them secure every dollar of that value. Through deep market expertise, tailored and achievable curtailment strategies, advanced technology, and hands-on event execution support, we ensure our customers can reliably participate and maximize earnings.

#3: Demand response is being used to generate revenue – and to optimize energy costs

Used to having energy as a fixed, relatively cheap cost, companies are tuning in more as prices are skyrocketing, asking not just “how can we earn?” but also “how can we operate more intelligently to reduce our energy spend?” 

Enel’s DynamicDR software helps companies achieve just that – earning revenue from their flexibility while providing the insights needed to avoid periods of high energy costs. Integrating revenue and cost avoidance strategies is particularly compelling in today’s landscape, helping companies save on their energy bills and become truly smarter, more flexible consumers.

#4: Data centers are a problem – but their flexibility can be a solution

One of the biggest drivers of load growth over the next five years is data center expansion – particularly for AI computing. Most stakeholder processes across major regions are holding “large loads” discussions on how to best support interconnection and energy supply for data centers, which have traditionally been viewed as inflexible and requiring 24/7 baseload power. But that assumption is being challenged. Can data centers be flexible? Do they really need 24/7 uptime? Can computing operations and processing shift to different times? Are there AI jobs that could wait? 

Enel is rising to the challenge by actively working on innovative partnerships with research institutions and software companies to better manage computing load, so data centers – whether they be AI, bitcoin, or traditional facilities – can truly become valuable grid assets rather than a burden on the system.

#5: Demand response is expanding – connecting various load types

To ensure reliability, the grid needs more flexible capacity, more often. As more load types become electrified, they can also provide much-needed curtailable capacity. Batteries, electrified heating systems, and EVs are inherently flexible. When aggregated, they form one large, reliable, deployable resource: a true virtual power plant (VPP) that can respond in real time to grid needs. As this mix of load types expands, so too does the sophistication of the aggregation.

Enel understands this complexity, managing and optimizing a global portfolio exceeding 10 GW, with roughly half located in North America. But significant opportunities remain. Digitalizing the grid is needed to enable access to more flexible loads and there is substantial untapped capacity – Enel is helping bring that capacity to market. From enabling companies to participate in demand response to integrating distributed energy resources via our VPP Connect API, our priority is clear: deliver flexible, reliable grid services while helping participants monetize their flexibility.

Demand response is essential to grid reliability – and to participants’ bottom lines

The grid is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history, and faster than ever. As a result, demand response is becoming more integrated, dynamic, and valuable. As the landscape continues to evolve, Enel North America is a leading demand response provider well-positioned to help companies across the U.S. and Canada find flexibility in their operations, stabilize the grid, participate with ease, and unlock meaningful financial and operational benefits.

Our customer-first approach, advanced technology, and unmatched expertise make us the trusted partner for businesses ready to lead in a smarter energy future. Contact us today to get a conversation started with our team.