Technological alternatives for metering and for load management. Testimony of Thomas Laaspere before the Public Service Commission of New York. Case No. 26806

Technical Report · Mon Aug 11 04:00:00 EDT 1975

OSTI ID:7294598

Laaspere, T

Time/demand rates affect load management when customers are encouraged to change their patterns of electric consumption. The cost of load management metering equipment using time switches, radios, or ripple control will be substantially higher than the $20 single phase watthour meters now used in the U.S. Options already available include: dual register watthour time switches, which cost about $71 and require manual adjustments; radio control systems, which are good for control of urban water heating but not for all equipment; and a European one-way ripple system, which uses a power grid to transmit coded audio-frequency signals and seems to be the most reliable and flexible system. Tests are underway on two-way ripple, over-the-phone metering, magnetic cartridge recorders, and other systems. Costs, up to $400 per unit, increase with the complexity and comprehensiveness of the system. European experience indicates that consumers respond quickly to rate changes based on peak load demand management, and the high cost of complex equipment is quickly made up with reduced energy consumption and lower rates. (DCK)

• Research Organization: Dartmouth Coll., Hanover, N.H. (USA). Thayer School of Engineering; Dartmouth College, Thayer School of Engineering, Hanover, NH
• OSTI ID: 7294598
• Report Number(s): NP-20674
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
CAPITAL
CHARGES
COST
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
EQUIPMENT
EUROPE
LOAD MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
POWER
POWER DEMAND
PUBLIC UTILITIES