Load Management for Industry

Abstract

In the electric utility industry, load management provides the opportunity to control customer loads to beneficially alter a utility's load curve Load management alternatives are covered.

Load management methods can be broadly classified into four categories: Thermal Energy Storage, Communication and Load Control, Interconnection and Operation of Power Systems, and Selective Load Promotions. The endeavors of the utility industry and Ohio Edison Company in three of the four categories are described.

The objective of load management is to change the real or apparent pattern of electricity usage. This provides the opportunity for an electric utility to 1) Efficiently utilize and lower the reserve requirements of its generation, transmission and distribution systems; 2) use abundant energy sources; and 3) enhance the reliability of service to essential loads. The consumer's electrical costs are held down by this utility effort.