GE-Montana pilot targets ways to cut peak demand
22.09.11
GE and a power utility in Montana are teaming up with volunteer households to try and find the most effective and user-friendly ways to help people cut their energy costs.
Under the two-year “FEC Peak Time” pilot program being run by GE Appliances & Lighting and the Flathead Electric Cooperative (FEC) , some 150 households will agree to test a variety of appliances and strategies to see which work best in helping to cut power bills, especially during times of peak demand.
Peak time, when a utility sees a surge in electricity demand, generally occurs between 5 and 7 pm, when people return home from work.
As part of the pilot, participating households will each receive a GE Nucleus energy manager, a GE programmable thermostat and a GE Profile washer, dryer and dishwasher enabled with Brillion technology. They’ll also have the opportunity to try out FEC Peak Time rebates, and to deploy their own energy networks.
Source: Greenbang
GE, Montana Co-op Target Peak Usage
30.09.11
Up to 150 residential members of Flathead Electric Co-op, Kalispell, will participate in the two-year program. Volunteers will get several GE products, including a wireless home energy monitor, a programmable thermostat, a washer, a dryer and a dishwasher.
The monitor plugs into a standard electric outlet and gives consumers near real-time information about home energy use. It will inform consumers when they qualify for “Peak Event” rebates from the co-op.
The goal of the FEC Peak Time Pilot “is to offer our members tools for greater control over peak-time energy consumption, helping them save money and ensuring better overall energy management of the co-op,” said Russ Schneider, an FEC project manager .
The co-op buys wholesale power from the Bonneville Power Administration. If consumer-members use less energy during peak usage times, Bonneville will charge the co-op less.
At that point, “the co-op needs to figure out how to directly pass the savings on to members that help reduce the peak,” Schneider said.
Source: Electric Co-op Today