Demand-side management: An underused tool for conserving electricity

Journal Article · · Environment; (USA)

OSTI ID:6283657

Hirst, E ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN (USA)

During the past few years, some US utilities have adopted demand-side management (DSM) programs that improve the efficiency and timing of customer electricity use. Such programs include the promotion of new lighting systems in office buildings, more efficient appliances in homes, heat pumps that recover waste heat in factories, and direct control of electricity-intensive equipment, such as air conditioners, at critical times of peak energy demand. These utilities recognize the benefits of focusing on electric-energy services rather than on electricity as a product. This paper discusses past progress and future potential; suggestions for the future (know the market, more research and development, acquire energy resources, electricity-pricing strategies, update rate regulations, and integrate resource planning); and federal actions which encourage DSM including wholesale contracts, competitive bidding, federal electric utilities, technology transfer, and collecting energy information.

• OSTI ID: 6283657
• Journal Information: Environment; (USA), Journal Name: Environment; (USA) Vol. 32:1; ISSN 0013-9157; ISSN ENVTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
APPLIANCES
BIDS
COMPETITION
CONTRACTS
DEMAND
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC APPLIANCES
ELECTRIC POWER
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FORECASTING
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HEAT PUMPS
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
LOAD MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
MARKET
OWNERSHIP
PEAK LOAD
PLANNING
POWER
POWER GENERATION
PRICES
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RATE STRUCTURE
REGULATIONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER