We take energy for granted. When we switch on our lights when we get home from science class, we expect them to go on without delay. Even now, I am anticipating that my power will stay on long enough for me to finish this blog post. How does our power get all the way from the power plant to our home? This is a question that involves the process known as demand response.
When you flip a switch in your house, you are creating demand for power. When you turn it off, that demand gone. Electric companies try to find out what the peak hours of energy consumption are, and increase their output to reflect this. In this way, energy companies overcompensate for times when they feel energy usage will be highest so as not to make customers wait for their electricity. It is our energy consumption habits that affect the policies of energy companies. In the demand response theory, it is assumed that it is up to the consumers to reduce their energy usage – in response, electric companies could reduce their baseload (that is, the minimum threshold of energy needed to supply consumers’ energy demand).
The theory goes on to state that the money the electric company could save by this simple effort on the part of consumers would be substantial. According to the California Public Utilities Commission, these savings could then be passed on to the consumers themselves, making energy more affordable for all – good news, as US energy consumption is projected to increase by up to 40% by 2030.
Currently, electric companies only use demand response for customers who use meters. This way, electric companies can track how much customers use at certain intervals during the day – particularly during peak hours. Unfortunately, it is only available for these meter-holders – mostly large industrial and commercial complexes that can afford to have meters installed. Many companies are in the process of installing meters in every home and small business that uses power, but this process is arduous and poses problems in and of itself. Regardless, dynamic pricing strategies and time-of-use rates would significantly alter American’s relationship to energy. In addition, smart grid technology is beginning to emerge that can better target where and when energy is needed, as well as switching energy from being a one-way system to being a two-way system, thereby becoming more efficient. These upgrades could prevent future power problems such as lack of energy and blackouts like the ones seen in California in 2000 and 2001. Demand response programs will help increase energy efficiency and reduce our total consumption. It starts from the ground up though, and consumers should agitate for more energy efficient practices – especially when the end result could mean more money in their pockets.
Sources:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/demand-response5.htm
It was great that you explained how much demand response is currently used today as far as being too expensive for residential use. Maybe someday we’ll all get rich and save the planet.
Also, nice use of bold. so Fancy.
I found the chart you used very helpful…it’s crazy how much electricity we use on a day to day basis that we don’t even think about. Very well written!