Issues in demand-side management programs operated by electric utilities in the United States

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:474406

Rosenstock, S J ^[1]

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1. ICF, Inc., Fairfax, VA (United States)

There are hundreds of utility demand-side management (DSM) programs that have operated in the US since the early 1980`s. Conservation and load management programs have enrolled hundreds of thousands of residential utility customers and thousands of commercial/industrial customer. According to the Energy Information Administration, electric utilities in the US spent $2.8 billion on DSM programs in 1993. Many issues have arisen as a result of the implementation of these programs, and this paper will examine four key factors: supplier and customer perspectives; demand-side management implementation problems; the role of kW demand savings; engineering estimates, political estimates, and reality. Each of these factors can have a critical role in the success or failure of DSM programs. Due to communication barriers between departments at some utilities, many of these issues can go unresolved until third parties step into the picture and point out discrepancies. As daunting as some of these challenges appear, there are practical solutions that can make DSM programs more cost-effective for the utility and more attractive to customers. These solutions should help progressive and proactive utility companies in the future deregulated market.

• OSTI ID: 474406
• Report Number(s): CONF-960805--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENERGY CONSERVATION
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
LOAD ANALYSIS
LOAD MANAGEMENT
MARKETING
PUBLIC OPINION