ATLANTA – March 30, 2006 – The direct load control program at MidAmerican Energy “is one of the most ideal energy efficiency programs that a utility can have,” an official at the utility tells Chartwell. “It has negligible impact on customers, and yet it creates a very big asset for the utility during the summer peak days. I know a lot of utilities offer this type of program, but I’m surprised there aren’t even more.” The official's comments are included in a full case study on MidAmerican Energy’s demand response programs in Chartwell’s latest report, Utility Load Control Programs.
In fact, load control programs – such as cycling of residential customers’ air conditioners – are quite successful at many utilities. Proprietary Chartwell research of more than 70 utilities across North America reveals that of all the products/services that utilities offer, consumers signed up for residential load control at the highest rates. The average participation rate for utility A/C cycling programs is about 15% and the median is about 11% according to Utility Load Control Programs. Chartwell research also shows that about one-third of utilities cycle residential air conditioners. Typically about 1 MW per 1,000 customers enrolled can be cycled.
In addition, about 60% of utilities offer load management programs for C&I customers, making it one of the most commonly offered products/services to this customer group. Load management is one of the most highly used utility products/services among C&I customers as well, according to data in the report.
The 66-page report also addresses other types of load control programs, including time-of-use pricing, and discusses the Energy Policy Act’s impact on these programs. Also included in the report is a discussion of program marketing and a listing of vendors poised to aid utilities in this area. Five successful utility programs are profiled in case studies.
Utility Load Control Programs, which is available as a stand-alone product from Chartwell for $495, is part of The Chartwell Products, Services & Programs Research Series, which focuses on products, services and customer relations issues such as marketing, promotions and public communications.
The Research Series is a 12-month membership that includes a data summary and accompanying database based on Chartwell’s extensive annual utility survey; regular in-depth reports and case studies covering specific products/services or marketing-related issues; one-on-one consultation with Chartwell research staff on topics covered; profiles of vendors poised to help utilities in this arena and more.
For information on membership in The Chartwell Products, Services & Programs Research Series or the individual report, Utility Load Control Programs, contact Bill Grist at (404) 237-9099 or (800) 432-5879; or visit www.chartwellinc.com or Chartwell’s Energy Library at www.energylibrary.com.
