**1. Introduction**

The Special Issue "Demand Response in Smart Grids" includes 10 papers [1–10].

Demand Response (DR) and Smart Grids (SG) are two rather broad key topics in the operation of power and energy systems. Although new DR approaches are introduced daily, more work is needed to reach its full potential, offering advantages for all involved. Successful implementation of SG requires widespread use of DR, taking advantage of the flexibility of large- and medium-size consumers as well as targeting small-size consumers. Effective approaches are needed to implement adequate strategies and methods to design and manage DR. As part of the power and energy ecosystem, DR is a very valuable resource which, when coordinated with the increasing penetration of renewable energy and marketdriven business models, can significantly increase the system efficiency while keeping energy costs reasonable. The Special Issue "Demand Response in Smart Grids" addresses aspects related to demand flexibility, DR, and their importance for efficient SG operation. The topics of this Special Issue include:


Nine research papers and one review have been published in this Special Issue, with the following statistics:

• Submissions: 18; published: 10; rejected: 8.
