Electric demand is swiftly becoming a significant variable
in the U.S. due to changes on the supply side like intermittent renewables and
increasing electrification. These
changes in the market environment have led to more time-of-use and peak pricing
programs across the country, and utilities are looking at new strategies and
technologies for demand response (DR) over previous SCADA/load control switches
— one solution is smart thermostats.
Advancements in thermostat technology have introduced
connected and smart thermostats into the broader consumer electronics market
and led more utilities to consider using these technologies for DR
programs. Electric cooperatives are
using smart thermostats to provide cost-management options to individual
members to increase their satisfaction and engagement, while also giving the
cooperative tools to manage the operation of the distribution grid, defer
distribution investment, avoid purchasing energy during high-cost periods, and
reduce wholesale demand charges.
Article:
Do Smart Thermostats Make for Smart Demand Response Programs?