Putting DSM on ice

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Fortnightly; (United States)

OSTI ID:5130325

Sullivan, J; Ebeling, J

Electric utilities' demand-side management (DSM) activities owe their political correctness to the theory that deferring new generating capacity and conserving energy is environmentally friendly and saves the consumer money. When prompted by perceived DSM-mandating integrated resource planning (IRP) legislation, utilities jumped into DSM alone headfirst, spending more than $1.8 billion in 1991 on DSM alone. However, mixed results are causing everyone from utilities to regulators to rethink their positions. Even long-time DSM proponents are beginning to review their aggressive DSM-influenced load forecasts. Because there is a demonstrated shortage of solid evidence that many of these programs really produce the promised savings, many experts now contend that a large portion of existing DSM programs will not survive real economic scrutiny. Increased competition will place even more pressure on DSM programs that are not cost-effective. This article describes a proven DSM technology, combustion turbine inlet air cooling with thermal (ice) energy storage. This process makes it possible to shift peak loads to off-peak periods without compromising customer service or system reliability. Ice is produced during off-peak hours and stored in tanks as a water/ice mixture. During on-peak hours, water from the storage tanks is pumped to the combustion turbine coils to cool the inlet air. The lower air temperature results in increased mass flow through the turbine, producing higher turbine capacity.

• OSTI ID: 5130325
• Journal Information: Fortnightly; (United States), Journal Name: Fortnightly; (United States) Vol. 132:3; ISSN FRTNE8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200107* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Off-Peak Energy Storage-- (1980-)
25 ENERGY STORAGE
250600 -- Energy Storage-- Thermal
COOLING SYSTEMS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC POWER
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
MACHINERY
POWER
PUBLIC UTILITIES
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY