| Demand Response Programs Balance Energy Usage |
| Written by Daniel Stouffer | |
| Thursday, 11 June 2009 | |
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During times of peak usage, demand response programs are designed to manage energy. These programs are becoming a lot more popular, allowing companies to oversee the energy loads at each of their stores, either individually or collectively. Energy demands can be addressed, and controls implemented for location or by device. This is a better way to assess your energy usage, based on demand. Automated controls are real energy savers that result in significant savings.
During times of peak usage, demand response programs are designed to manage energy. These programs are becoming a lot more popular, allowing companies to oversee the energy loads at each of their stores, either individually or collectively. Energy demands can be addressed, and controls implemented for location or by device. This is a better way to assess your energy usage, based on demand. Automated controls are real energy savers that result in significant savings. Companies that use commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, backup generators or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, are finding that demand response programs are particularly useful. Any type of equipment that uses a form of energy can be included in this inventive strategy. Energy is one of the largest expenses for a company, particularly those with multiple retail stores countrywide, chain restaurants worldwide, or manufacturing plants with various sites. Along with trying to hold the line on expenses, companies face increased government regulations aimed at reducing energy use and lowering carbon emissions in an effort to slow global warming. Managing a portfolio of energy use is complex, which is why many companies invest in asset or energy management programs. With demand response programs, you can adjust the controls for lighting, commercial refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) systems, or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems right from your computer, from anywhere in the world. By being able to optimize equipment efficiency through real time energy tracking, you can lower the actual energy used. Consistency is the key when it comes to demand response programs. Energy use can be reported at all sites within an organization. This may be at a production facility with multiple locations, a supermarket chain around the globe, or retail outlets around the country. Each location can be tracked, energy load reductions identified and curtailment loads scheduled. Traditionally, companies would manually control energy demand at each retail site. But advances in technology now make demand response part of an automated energy management system. As a result, managers can respond to energy demands remotely from the administrative interface, thus removing previous obstacles like having to physically be at the location. By using demand response programs, companies can take advantage of utility reduction programs that provide rebates and incentives for those agreeing to reduce energy loads during peak periods. By doing so, you realize additional cost cutting measures in addition to savings in your energy bill. Companies can now be much more flexible when it comes to how electricity is affected at their facility, through the use of demand response programs. Electric power requirements and consumption can be controlled based on various scenarios. For example, there are times when demand is greater than supply, such as during heat waves, power plant repairs, storms or other instances. With the goal of energy efficiency and conservation, consumption behavior can be changed during times of peak demand. Supply and demand can be better managed for future energy needs. The Article Author: Daniel Stouffer has much more information about the need for demand response programsand how the refrigerant-tracker will benefit you. |
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