At least 13 states have developed performance incentive mechanisms (PIMs) to encourage utilities to deliver energy savings at specific times to optimize the nation’s power grid, according to a report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
“Energy efficiency and demand response are essential tools to drive down the cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of electricity systems affordably and rapidly,” according to ACEEE. “These services can reduce demand at specific times to optimize the power grid, which we call ‘strategic demand reduction’ (SDR).”
Utilities are just beginning to integrate SDR into their grid planning, investments, and operations. Studies indicate that demand flexibility and energy efficiency hold “vast untapped potential,” ACEEE says.
States are using varied approaches on PIMs. Some states use traditional utility procurement approaches to peak demand reduction, such as in Hawaii and Texas. Massachusetts and New York use newer methods of encouraging SDR by compensating utilities for a mix of actions and outcomes. States show increasing interest in moving demand from one time of day to another and in grid-balancing measures that target times when renewables create steep ramps in available supply.
Related Stories
| Feb 23, 2012
Federal budget cuts put major building projects on hold
A plan to build the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Kansas is among several major building projects in jeopardy after the Obama administration’s 2013 budget was unveiled. The budget would cut all construction spending for the facility.
| Feb 23, 2012
Federal agencies fixed on leasing LEED-certified space
The federal government is especially focused on renting LEED-certified spaces.
| Feb 23, 2012
Regulators investigating construction accident at World Trade Center
The New York Port Authority and the city’s fire and building departments are investigating an accident at the World Trade Center construction site in lower Manhattan after a crane dropped steel beams that fell about 40 stories onto the truck that delivered them.
| Feb 23, 2012
New Virginia statewide building code goes into effect March 1
After March 1, all building plans in Virginia must adhere to the 2009 code that was adopted a year ago.
| Feb 23, 2012
Privatizing flood insurance could lead to new code requirements
One thing that could pave the way toward private flood insurance would be NFIP reforms, like requiring new construction in flood-prone areas to be elevated.
| Feb 22, 2012
ACI BIM manual for cast-in-place concrete in development
The improved communication, coordination, and collaboration afforded by BIM implementation have already been shown to save time and money in projects.
| Feb 20, 2012
Comment period for update to USGBC's LEED Green Building Program now open
This third draft of LEED has been refined to address technical stringency and rigor, measurement and performance tools, and an enhanced user experience.
| Feb 20, 2012
GAF introduces web portal for architects and specifiers
The new portal offers a clean look with minimal clutter to make it easier to find the technical information and product data that architects need.
