Report: Demand response could have saved Texas $200 million from 2012-2013

Dive Brief:

Had a "modest number" of consumers strategically reduced their power demand in Texas — during just five days between 2012 and 2013 — the state could have saved $200 million, according to new analysis from the South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER).
The group released a report last week that it bills as a roadmap for smarter energy usage in Texas. The paper makes a number of recommendations, including that the state begin tracking the number of customers benefiting from improved access to their usage data, making it easier to obtain data, and to bolster third-party energy services.
And given that the last two summers were relatively mild in Texas, demand response savings could have been more dramatic in a higher-demand scenario, the group said.

Dive Insight:

A group seeking to highlight the use of energy efficiency and demand response in Texas and Oklahoma has estimated the the Lone Star State could have saved $200 million if a small number of the state's energy consumers had participated in a demand response program.

“Data available from ERCOT allowed us to accurately estimate the savings for these two recent mild years,” Doug Lewin, SPEER executive director, said in a statement. “Savings in more extreme weather years such as 2011 would be significantly higher.”

While Texas was a leader in the development of competitive electric markets and in rolling out automated meter infrastructure, the group said customer participation in energy management programs remains low, and "additional development is required to empower customers, drive market innovations, and achieve potential efficiencies in Texas."

SPEER has been developing a "roadmap" for Texas energy use, and has made recommendations which would allow the state's energy consumers to fully benefit from technology and markets in place. Some of the groups suggestions include using smart meters to verify a range of energy savings, making it easier for the customer to obtain their data and to"create better opportunities for loads to participate in the ERCOT energy markets."

“The technologies and services that allow customers to save money and energy are advancing rapidly,” said Lewin. “It’s time to take the next steps to empower consumers. The Roadmap shows the way forward.