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Load management: strategy for conservation

Journal Article · · Public Power; (United States)
OSTI ID:6860255

Load management is shown to be a rational way for electric utilities to balance growing consumer demand against the higher rates for increased capacity and at the same time to encourage energy conservation. An economist, the author is concerned with promoting resource conservation and social welfare. This balance is achieved with prices which reflect resource costs and lead to the best use of resources. Utilities with a load-management program can offer rate strategies that allow customers to select trade-offs appropriate to their needs, although political and group pressures to maintain special price advantages may make it hard to alter electric rate structures enough to bring about resource allocation. A load-management program merits careful analysis, however, and utility managers are urged to move toward a recognition of marginal costs when setting time-of-day or interruptible rates.

Research Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA
OSTI ID:
6860255
Journal Information:
Public Power; (United States), Journal Name: Public Power; (United States) Vol. 36:3; ISSN PUPOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English