As more utilities begin implementing demand response and energy efficiency programs, it is useful to develop metrics to analyze these programs. In particular, how wide-spread are these programs, and how much energy is being saved or conserved through them? There are a few sources available for such metrics. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) compiles data on demand response and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) on its Form EIA-861. This annual survey, as discussed in a previous blog post, is completed by all electric utilities in the United States. Schedule 6 asks respondents to provide information about their demand-side management programs. On Part A of Schedule 6, respondents provide data on incremental and annual effects as well as estimates for peak load reduction. Schedule B contains information about costs: both direct program costs and costs associated with incentive payments. Supplemental information is provided on Part C, and Part D contains information regarding AMI and Automated Meter Reading (AMR). The EIA-861 datafile can be downloaded here. Another source of information regarding Demand Response and Advanced Metering is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Assessment of Demand Response and Advanced Metering. This comprehensive survey is done every two years, with the latest report being published in February 2011 (containing data compiled in 2010). The 2010 report can be viewed here. FERC is currently compiling its latest report for 2012, and it should be available later this year or early in 2013. Roughly half of all electric utilities in the United States responded to the most recent FERC survey. The FERC report showed significant growth in the number of advanced meters deployed between 2008 and 2010. According to FERC, advanced metering penetration increased from 4.7 percent in 2008 to 8.7 percent in 2010, meaning that 8.7 percent of all electric customers in the United States had advanced metering penetration in their service territory. It also showed that the highest penetration rates were in the MRO (midwest), WECC (west), and TRE (Texas) NERC regions. Advanced metering penetration rates were higher in 2010 among all utility types: public power, cooperative, and IOU. It should be noted that the FERC survey has separate political subdivision, municipal, and federal and state categories. APPA combines these three categories (not including federal) under the public power umbrella. The FERC report has a set of tables dealing with demand response programs by region and entity type. Table 4.1 reports on the number of customers enrolled in direct load control programs, showing that over 5.5 million electric customers were enrolled in such programs. Table 4.2 shows that 265 entities have interruptible or curtailable rates. According to Table 4.3, 169 entities have residential time-of-use rates, and just over 1 million customers are enrolled in such programs according to Table 4.4. Finally, Table 4.5 shows that 19 entities employ real-time pricing for retail customers.
The FERC report also contains graphs on peak load reduction and other demand-side programs across the United States. There is also more detailed analysis about demand response programs and advanced metering penetration.
Additionally, APPA conducts its own demand response and energy efficiency survey. The next survey will be sent out in the coming week, and will be available at the Energy Efficiency Resource Central (EERC) section of APPA’s website at http://publicpower.org/eerc/. The 2010 report on Energy Efficiency and Demand-Side Management at Public Power Utilities is available at this link (password required). It can also be accessed from the “Other Resources” tab at the EERC section. The APPA report includes information on the types of programs that public power utilities offer, an evaluation of those programs, funding and budgetary data, and other summary findings from the survey.