Making Demand-Response Work





By Lindsay Audin  
OTHER PARTS OF THIS ARTICLEPt. 1: The Need for Demand-Response ProgramsPt. 2: The History of Demand-ResponsePt. 3: How Demand-Response Programs Work TodayPt. 4: Working With a Demand-Response ProviderPt. 5: Demand-Response ContractsPt. 6: This PagePt. 7: Finding Demand-Response Opportunities and Providers


Many loads that seem essential may be reduced briefly. A building’s own thermal inertia may mitigate the impact of (for example) raising chilled water temperature. Here are some other practical tips to get the most out of a demand-response program:

  • Reduce or shut off non-essential lighting (e.g., corridors having windows, lobby, atrium)
  • E-mail occupants asking them to turn off non-essential plug loads such as coffee makers
  • When acceptable, minimize outside air intake
  • Reduce number of running elevators
  • Sequence speed reductions of fans running on VSDs
  • Shut off electric reheat coils, raise cooling discharge temperatures
  • Allow summer room temperature to briefly float a degree or two higher
  • Cycle electric dehumidifiers, or allow humidity to briefly rise
  • Cycle or sequence electric hot water heaters/boilers
  • Shift process loads to off-peak. For example, charging of electric carts
  • If available, switch to a non-electric chiller
  • If allowed, run on-site generation.

Important: Before deploying any of these options, test it in advance to verify acceptability.

Lindsay Audin is president of EnergyWiz, an energy consulting firm based in Croton, N.Y. He is a contributing editor for Building Operating Management.




Contact FacilitiesNet Editorial Staff »

  posted on 7/1/2008   Article Use Policy




Related Topics: