Remote Control Comes to Demand-Reduction Programs
By Staff -- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 6/1/2003
In what is being billed as one of the largest remote demand-reduction programs ever, ComEd, a division of Chicago-based Exelon Corp., will be gaining control over as much as 50 megawatts of customer demand in a program to be developed over the next 18 to 24 months.
Unlike most similar programs, in which electric-utility customers control demand reductions, this effort will allow ComEd to turn designated systems on and off during peak-demand periods. Real-time monitoring means the utility will be able to receive instantaneous confirmation that energy use has, in fact, been curtailed.
The manufacturer of the control systems being used says the plan will cost approximately $25 million, and include some 1,500 of the company's EnergySaver units. Financing will be provided through third-party lenders.
