Demand reductions have been achieved through various demand response
programs. Direct control load management and interruptible demand
programs represent about 2.5 percent of summer peak demand (20,000 MW)
in the U.S. and about 2.5 percent of winter peak demand (2,500 MW) in
Canada. New or expanded demand response programs and initiatives can
further reduce peak demands.
The 2007 LTRA mentions:
Demand response is increasingly viewed as an important option to meet the
growing electricity requirements in North America, while at the same time
addressing green-house gas and CO2 legislation. Demand response supports
operational and long-term planning margins
As the industry’s use of Demand-Side Management evolves, NERC’s data collection and
reliability assessment need to change highlighting programs and demand-side service
offerings that have an impact on bulk system reliability.