NERC’s seasonal and long-term reliability assessments currently assume projected EE
programs are included in the Total Internal Demand forecasts, including adjustments for
utility indirect demand response programs such as conservation programs, improvements in
efficiency of electric energy use, rate incentives, and rebates.
Load Forecasting Working Group (LFWG) Survey
The results of a recent Load Forecasting Working Group Survey indicated the impact of
future EE is implicitly included by the majority of regions/subregional entities, though a
nearly equal number indicate EE is not reflected in their forecasts. In addition, new statespecific
energy efficiency portfolio standards, a renewed interest in integrated resource
planning, and new EE legislation all indicate that DSM is likely to have a more prominent
role in future resource planning activities than in the past.
Current NERC DSM Data Collection
NERC currently collects specific information about two demand response varieties both
directly controlled by the operator:
• Interruptible Demand2
and
• Direct Control Load Management3
,
The Total Internal Demand4 is reduced by the sum of Interruptible Demand and Direct
Control Load Management obtaining the Net Internal Demand5
.
Tallying the amount of energy efficiency or demand response capability at the time of peak
demand does not fully address DSM’s influence on the reliability of the bulk power system,
though it can provide a relative measure. The calculation of reserve capacity at the time of
system peak may not provide an indication of the capacity, or load resources, available at
different portions of the summer peak cycle or throughout the entire year.
NERC Standards Enabling Collection and Analysis of DSM
Though the focus of the task force was to study the influence of DSM on reliability, it was
important to develop an overall understanding of DSM, identifying those that predominately
influence reliability and making recommendations on next steps to measure their influence
on reliability