March 14, 2007—Energy efficiency programs can be effective resources for reducing peak demand as well as overall load, according to a new report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
The report, “Examining the Peak Demand Impacts of Energy Efficiency: A Review of Program Experience and Industry Practices,” documents how energy efficiency programs can deliver savings during peak demand periods when the power grid is most stressed. Energy efficiency savings can also reduce the high costs of power during peak demands, which typically occur during hot summer conditions, explains ACEEE.
Moderating peak electric demand has become a major concern in recent years as peak loads have grown faster than electric system capacity. As a result, there has reportedly been a marked increase over the past few years in efforts to rely on energy efficiency and other “demand-side” measures as lower-cost alternatives that also can be brought into service much more rapidly.
With this increased reliance comes a corresponding need for accurate data on both energy and peak demand impacts associated with efficiency resources, note researchers. Program evaluations have tended to focus on energy savings (measured in kilowatt-hours). Corresponding peak demand savings (measured in kilowatts) generally have been less well-measured.
The report concludes that there could be an advantageous convergence of need, capabilities, and costs emerging for estimating peak demand impacts. Rapid increases in the capabilities of metering and communications technologies can yield lower costs for data gathering and analysis.
The report is available for free download.
