Why industry demand-side management programs should be self-directed

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Electricity Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/1040-6190(93)90075-V· OSTI ID:5196806

Pritchett, T; Moody, L ^[1]; Brubaker, M ^[2]

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1. General Motors Corp., Detroit, MI (United States)
2. Drazen-Brubaker Associates, Inc., St. Lousi, MO (United States)

U.S. industry believes in DSM. But it does not believe in the way DSM is being implemented, with its emphasis on mandatory utility surcharge/rebate programs. Self-directed industrial DSM programs would be better for industry - and for utilities as well. Industrial demand-side management, as it is currently practiced, relies heavily on command-and-control-style programs. The authors believe that all parties would benefit if utilities and state public service commissions encouraged the implementation of [open quotes]self-directed[close quotes] industrial DSM programs as an alternative to these mandatory surcharge/rebate-type programs. Here the authors outline industrial experience with existing demand-side management programs, and offer alternative approaches for DSM in large manufacturing facilities. Self-directed industrial programs have numerous advantages over mandatory utility-funded and sponsored DSM programs. Self-directed programs allow an industrial facility to use its own funds to meet its own specific goals, whether they are set on the basis of demand reduction, energy use reduction, spending levels for DSM and environmental activities, or some combination of these or other readily measurable criteria. This flexibility fosters a higher level of cost effectiveness, a more focused and effective approach for optimizing energy usage, larger emission reductions per dollar of expenditure, and more competitive industrial electric rates.

• OSTI ID: 5196806
• Journal Information: Electricity Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Electricity Journal; (United States) Vol. 6:9; ISSN ELEJE4; ISSN 1040-6190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
DEMAND
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
INDUSTRY
MANAGEMENT
POWER DEMAND
PUBLIC UTILITIES
SUPPLY AND DEMAND