November 26, 2001—A new report by the Atlanta consulting firm C Three Group, titled “Load Management 2001—Balancing Customers, Regulators and Energy Demand,” reveals that demand-side energy load management programs—created by power companies to help consumers manage their energy use and control energy costs—are currently in a state of flux with some vendors struggling to stay afloat and utilities facing great ambiguity in the future.
The report offers commentary on the design details of leading utility programs, and the shortcomings in some vendor offerings. It also offers insights into utility program lessons learned and 2002 program revisions, as well as vendors’ product development and joint venture efforts.
One of the report’s findings suggests that although load management technology exists for virtually any type of direct response and curtailment program, it might be too expensive to be cost-effective today for most utilities. Unfortunately, the report concludes, until major issues surrounding deregulation are resolved, there will not be sufficient demand for production and operational costs per unit to be lowered significantly.
Table of contents and sample utility profiles from “Load Management 2001— Balancing Customers, Regulators and Energy Demand” can be found on the C Three Group’s Web site.
