Residential Air Conditioner Direct Load Control "Energy Partners Program"

Abstract

Demand side management programs like Energy Partners can provide an effective peak reducing capability which within a carefully designed integrated resource plan can help to ensure that the system's load requirements are met in the most cost effective manner. A pilot program which will be discussed in detail was conducted during the summer of 1991. Following this successful pilot the Energy Partners program began implementation in September of 1992. Our marketing goals are aggressive, but we are currently on target with over 20,000 new installations in 1993 and project over 100,000 installations in place by the year 2000. Our peak load reduction goals approach 35MW by the end of this year, and grow to nearly 150MW by the year 2000. An outside contractor handles customer inquiries, applications, switch installations, and tracking of participants. Cycling strategies, load control, marketing and other administrative duties are handled by HL&P staff. A FM, VHF, radio transmission system is being used to transmit the signal to our customers homes. With several thousand customers being cycled off at different intervals, the system will provide a continuous load reduction.