Manage Peak Load

Challenge

It’s the end of a long, hot workday and temperatures are soaring. In less than an hour, millions of air conditioners and fans will drain energy at peak levels. Record-breaking energy demands occur regularly in many service areas around the world. Utilities have built surplus peak capacity into distribution systems, but expanding residential and C&I customer bases and changing climate conditions are outpacing many systems. Skyrocketing prices for open-market spot price purchases and, worse, rolling brownouts and blackouts have become too common on the nightly news. To achieve this critical balance between supply and demand, and maintain system reliability, energy providers and users must work together in partnership. Both must have timely knowledge of when and how energy is used. Both must also possess the means to make smart energy delivery and usage decisions in response to market signals and system conditions.

Solution

From accurate forecasting and web-enabled smart metering systems to curtailment software and demand response consulting services, Itron delivers solutions for managing peak loads. Solutions that not only empower proactive load management and demand response, but enable energy utilities and customers to make informed energy usage decisions and measure the results of their efforts. Energy supply and demand, in turn, can stay in step with one another, efficiency and reliability are increased, gross margins are protected and customers are empowered to control their energy usage and costs.

Benefits

Improves system reliability

Increases customer satisfaction

Improves distribution system planning

Reduces peak demand electric usage

Reduces risk and mitigates energy price fluctuations

Automates notification, baseline calculations and settlements

Calculates penalties and/or incentives

Reduces labor-intensive participation and verification process