Demand Side Management (DSM) has a central theme of modifying customer's use of electricity (and other utility supplies) to shape demand in a beneficial manner to both customers and utilities. Demand shaping objectives include conservation, peak demand reduction, demand relocation, demand control and load growth.

Promotion of electricity consumption can also be a feature of DSM, particularly at periods of low demand, to maximise utilisation of generation and network assets.

Network problems are becoming significant in countries where electricity demand is increasing and network infrastructure is ageing. As loads grow and infrastructure reaches the end of its economic life, the potential cost of augmenting networks is increasing exponentially. In many situations, DSM can delay the need for network reinforcement. In certain limited situations, DSM may even be able to cost-effectively eliminate the requirement to construct new networks.

As part of our Automatic Meter Reading service, we can offer a comprehensive Demand Side Management service. It will include:

Establish Demand Side Management Policies

The process that we would follow is:

Identifying the most appropriate and cost-effective DSM measures to relieve electricity network constraints. All types of constraint will be addressed, including capacity limitations, voltage fluctuations and reliability issues.

Consider ways of achieving peak load reductions with various response times for network operational support.

Oversee Demand Side Management

As part of our Automatic Meter Reading service, we can implement both Compulsory Demand Side Management and Voluntary Demand Side Management.

Compulsory Demand Side Management

As part of this process, we will switch the heating elements on or off as dictated by the loading on the network and as per agreed parameters.

Voluntary Demand Side Management

As part of this process, we will set Load Control Timers of the heating elements to coincide with the general load patterns on the network and as per agreed parameters.

We will implement either a two-part or a three-part Time of Use.