Western Interconnection Demand Responsiveness Team  

            The goal of this project is to foster the development of electricity demand-reduction measures that enable states to meet  renewable and energy efficiency policy goals through the implementation of energy efficiency and distributed generation systems.   This project was selected for funding by the Department of Energy as part of its broad-based solicitation issued last January. The Demand Responsiveness Team (DRT) will be comprised of members of the Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation.

            This project will increase understanding of the potential for energy conservation and efficiency programs to increase reliability and to reduce high electricity prices in the West.  Under this proposal, industry stakeholders and state policy-makers, including both state energy and regulatory agencies, can work together to resolve impediments to the implementation of conservation and efficiency  measures in the West.  

            The charge to the DRT is:  First, develop a research paper that evaluates demand-reduction measures utilities have undertaken, examines pricing strategies to reduce demand during peak periods using energy efficiency and distributed generation, and identifies barriers to using price to curb demand; and  Second, to stimulate regional investment in energy efficiency and distributed generation, hold a workshop based on the research document that promotes the use of price responsiveness to reduce electricity demand during peak periods and stimulate investment in energy efficiency and distributed generation.

            The major deliverables under this project will be: (1) the research paper that evaluates demand-reduction measures utilities have undertaken; examines pricing strategies to reduce demand during peak periods using energy efficiency and distributed generation; and identifies barriers to using price to curb demand; (2) a workshop for western state energy and regulatory officials and industry on using price responsiveness based on the research document; and (3) a final version of the paper to be posted on the Internet that contains a description of state efforts to implement energy conservation and efficiency strategies as well as the lessons learned from the project.