The E Source Efficiency & Demand-Response Programs Service (EDRP) gets more member inquiries than any other E Source service. Throughout 2012, I tracked EDRP-related inquiries (I manage the EDRP service) to gain a better understanding of the issues utilities are facing when it comes to demand-side management (DSM). I thought it might be interesting to share the most commonly asked categories of questions. Keep in mind that I created the categories using my best judgment, and some questions can fall into more than one category (for example, I categorized a question about verified energy savings from home energy reports as “program evaluation” and “behavioral programs.”
In 2012, from a high-level DSM perspective, the most common categories of questions we received were:
- DSM programs: 55 percent
- DSM portfolio management: 19 percent
- Program evaluation: 17 percent
- Vendor offerings: 5 percent
- Energy-efficiency policy: 4 percent
Portfolio management includes things like DSM department organizational structures, DSM operations (rebate processing and data analytics), and load forecasting. Vendor offerings include questions such as: What companies offer evaluation, measurement, and verification services?
Because DSM programs is the biggest category, I’ve broken it down by program:
- Behavioral: 26 percent
- Residential: 22 percent
- Commercial: 20 percent
- Demand response: 19 percent
- Lighting: 13 percent
I’m guessing that some of the trends we saw in 2012 will continue through 2013: A growing emphasis on behavioral programs as utilities look for further energy savings, and the continued importance of demand response as older power plants are retired. I also envision more policy-related questions in 2013 as utility DSM portfolios mature.
What are some important issues you’ll be facing in 2013?
