EN6 Demand-Side Management

Demand-side management (DSM) reflects the cumulative rate of annual electricity savings resulting from DSM activities including programs, codes and standards and rate structures. The new programs and reported savings began in fiscal 2008, following the 2007 BC Energy Plan.

Despite a difficult economy the fiscal 2011 cumulative energy savings were above target. All areas, with the exception of the Industrial sector, achieved plan levels. Industrial programs had strong performance through fiscal 2011 with areas like New Plant Design and Power Smart Partners Distribution experiencing very positive traction in the market. The Integrated Power Offer (IPO) and a renewed focus on incentives for Power Smart Partners Transmission has resulted in several large project opportunities in fiscal 2011. Customers delays, however, have shifted many of these projects to fiscal 2012 which meant the Industrial sector overall was unable to absorb the above noted evaluation and reporting adjustments for prior years being applied to cumulative energy savings in fiscal 2011. The Residential sector, led by solid performance in Refrigerator Buy Back and Lighting and the Commercial sector, led by strong Product Incentive Program, performed extremely well over the course of fiscal 2011.

Targets are developed as part of the long-term DSM planning which uses results from the Conservation Potential Review, and research related to other DSM tools as benchmarks for achievable savings and is updated on an annual basis, factoring in historical performance and new information. The cumulative F2012 targets is per the BC Hydro Service Plan 2011/12 – 2013/14 [PDF, 2.0 MB].