Dive Summary:
- Demand response techniques that have helped Texas utilities to adapt to heat waves and record peak demand are providing utilities across the U.S. and Europe with valuable new strategies for managing power.
- CPS Energy estimates it will be able to shave 7% off its peak electricity load by 2020, thanks to demand reduction, and a grid system in Ohio and Pennsylvania is already seeing peak load cuts of around 10%.
- Though European companies are often faster to adopt energy-efficient strategies than their U.S. counterparts, demand response has been slow to catch on there.
From the article:
"... Factories get paid for their participation in the energy-reduction program, and they have been a mainstay of demand response programs. In recent years, however, the pool of potential participants has broadened. Aided by private companies, electricity utilities are asking homeowners and small businesses if they will allow their air-conditioners or pool pumps or water heaters to cycle off briefly when grid operators ask for help. In exchange, the utility may offer a customer a free smart thermostat — a device to regulate temperatures more efficiently — or an equivalent incentive. ..."
