Demand Response

 

Demand response (DR) programs allow customers to help utilities manage peak electric demand and lower system customer costs. By participating in DR programs and pilots, customers shift or reduce their electricity usage at certain times of the day, generally when a utility’s electric demands are peaking. Participation in demand response programs and pilots are triggered by economic incentives, price signals, direct communications, or other conditions. Effective demand response programs provide various economic and environmental benefits, including:

 

 

Currently, DR programs and pilots are becoming more wide-spread across two of Oregon’s three investor-owned utilities. Idaho Power has the most mature demand response programs covering all of their customers. Portland General Electric (PGE) and PacifiCorp have several demand response programs and pilots for their customers.

 
There is a portfolio of DR programs offered by Idaho Power, PacifiCorp, and PGE that can suit different customers’ needs. The program details will differ from utility to utility. View below for more information on specific utility program offerings for each customer type:

 

DR programs offered by utilities can differ from one another in several ways, such as compensation structure, event lengths and notification, availability, and reason for dispatch. These differences make certain programs a better fit for the various customers. For this reason, it is important to familiarize yourself with demand response before enrolling.

 

Relevant PUC Dockets