Jun 17, 2010

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published its National Action Plan on Demand Response, which calls for a public-private coalition to develop and deploy “successful and cost-effective demand response programs” for states, localities and regions. FERC was directed to develop the plan under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. EISA directed FERC to identify: the requirements for technical assistance to states to help them optimize the amount of demand response (DR) that can be developed and implemented, the requirements for a national communications program for broad-based customer education and support, and to develop or identify the analytical tools, information, model regulations and contracts for customers, states, utilities and DR providers. The Demand Response Coordinating Committee (DRCC), a DR advocacy group with members ranging from Ameren and Itron to Salt River Project and Walmart, praised the plan. Dan Delurey, DRCC executive director, said: “It must be recognized with any plan it will be important how it is implemented, and that is what the Smart Grid and demand response community must turn to now. For example, more research needs to be done on what consumers — both large and small — want, and we need to know better how to communicate with them.”

Quick Take: Demand response is critical across a broad range of areas: It can help consumers change their energy consumption habits to save on their electric bills and cut their carbon footprint, and it can help utilities manage and secure the grid in a number of ways. The call for a coalition is good; Smart Grid planning and should increase the odds for successful deployment and adoption.

Smart Grid: FERC Publishes Long-Awaited National Action Plan for Demand Response.

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