All in the family. [demand side management]

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States)

OSTI ID:6332641

Jacobson, M; Alford, C D

No longer the utility industry's stepchild, demand-side management (DSM) is now a legitimate planning option for utilities. Long criticized as window dressing, DSM has stepped into the mainstream of utility planning options. An explosion of DSM products and services has brought a need for accountability, however. Regulators want measurable results to justify financial incentives that reward utility performance. Whether DSM is new to a utility or a refinement of a long-standing business function, almost every utility can learn from the experience of others and from traditional marketing models what is expected today and what may happen next. The utility industry is predicated on planning for anticipated events. Much of the skepticism toward DSM in the supply-side community stems from a feeling that DSM results cannot be accurately forecast, and therefore, cannot be counted on to any degree of certainty. While a predictive model of the DSM life cycle cannot predict individual utility performance, it can help a utility anticipate the types of planning, implementation, evaluation tools, and data it will need, which should improve results. The DSM life-cycle model gives the utility the ability to know where its DSM programs are and where they should be going; anticipate new issues and regulatory expectations; anticipate resources, skills, techniques, and data needs; forewarn upper management of key issues and budget requirements; increase chances for program effectiveness; and make DSM a more viable resource alternative.

• OSTI ID: 6332641
• Journal Information: Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States), Journal Name: Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States) Vol. 131:9; ISSN PUFNAV; ISSN 0033-3808
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
BUDGETS
DEMAND
ELECTRICITY
FORECASTING
INFORMATION NEEDS
MANAGEMENT
MARKET
ORGANIZATIONAL MODELS
PLANNING
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT