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| Demand Side Management (DSM) is the planning and implementation of programs and services that help and encourage customers to use electricity as efficiently as possible. While our operations consistently focus on supply, generation and distribution of electricity, DSM focuses on the customer-side of electric use. DSM helps customers use less electricity, but it equally guides customers on when to use electricity. As a community-owned utility, our goal for DSM is to provide benefits for the customer and the community as a whole. Benefits of DSM include: - Community benefits from contributing to environmental improvements through reduced emissions.
- Utility and ratepayer benefits from:
- More efficient use of power plants by shifting as much on-peak use to off-peak.
- Leveling energy use to off-peak, in other words, minimizing energy spikes in plant operations, which helps plants operate more efficiently.
- More efficient plant operations, which ultimately result in delaying capital investments and having fewer rate fluctuations.
- Customers benefit from participating in DSM efforts because they can see reductions in their overall consumption, which in turn reduces their bills.
DSM also plays a role in overall reliability of electricity, particularly during emergency or shortage situations. DSM programs enable us to work together with customers to reduce on-peak use, which can mitigate brown-outs and/or expensive spot-market purchases in emergencies. We have offered water, electric and natural gas DSM efforts for several years. Electric DSM efforts include: Residential Programs - Energy Efficiency Rebates
- Clothes washer
- Windows/doors
- Programmable thermostat
- Insulation/air sealing
- Renewable Energy Rebate Program for solar electric (photovoltaic) panels
- Load Cycling Pilot Program
- Home Efficiency Assistance Program (HEAP) - targets low-income
- Home Improvement Financing for Energy and Water Efficiency Projects
- Conservation Education
- Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®
- Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Makeover Contest
Business Programs - Kilowatcher Rate Option (load management)
- Peak Demand Rebate Program
- LED Traffic Signal Rebate Program
- Builder Incentive Program
- Renewable Energy Rebate Program
- Free Online Efficiency Profiles
We are currently developing the following programs and expect to offer these to customers in 2007: - Compact Fluorescent Lamp Coupon Program
- Curtailable Rate
- GeoExchange Rebate Program
- Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Green Power
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