Aclara Releases White Paper Exploring the Technology, Business and Market Cases for Load Control

ST. LOUIS, July 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Aclara, a leading supplier of smart infrastructure solutions (SIS) to electric, gas and water utilities worldwide, explores the market drivers, available technologies and the business case pertaining to the implementation of load control programs at electric utilities in a white paper entitled The Technology, Business and Market Cases for Load Control. Click here to download this complimentary white paper.

The white paper examines the factors driving adoption of load control programs, including aging infrastructure, demand volatility, wholesale price instability, the growth of renewables, energy-efficiency regulations and market mechanisms for procuring energy and capacity.

It also describes the benefits and business case for load control solutions using the example of a highly successful program implemented by one of the nation's largest electric utilities. By employing an opt-in load control program for short periods, the utility is able to help ensure the most effective procurement and delivery of electricity to 4.9M households.  

"Demand response and load control programs are key for utilities to be able to reduce electricity consumption during peak hours by controlling the operation of certain household appliances," said Kumi Premathilake, senior vice president, advanced metering infrastructure for Aclara. "When employing such programs, utility companies can reduce peak-period loads to ensure grid reliability while reducing the need to purchase energy at high peak prices, hence benefiting both utilities and their customers." 

With Aclara's solution, utilities can implement both autonomous and on-demand load control strategies. On-demand strategies are used in emergency situations where the utility has to shed load to ensure the stability of the grid. As a result of the collaboration with Aclara, the utility is able to reduce peak loads of 2GW under 15 seconds in emergency situations.

The white paper also specifies the load control technologies – from communications networks, hardware to software – necessary to implement these programs. It also notes the necessity of adopting two-way, low-latency networks for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) so that utilities can conduct meter reading and load control without impacting system performance. Reliability, availability and low known latency are critical to achieving the desired load shed in the required time to be effective.

About Aclara
Aclara, now part of the Hubbell Power Systems family of brands, is a world-class supplier of smart infrastructure solutions (SIS) and services to more than 800 water, gas, and electric utilities globally. Aclara SIS offerings include smart meters and other field devices, advanced metering infrastructure and software and services that enable utilities to predict and respond to conditions, leverage their distribution networks effectively, and engage with their customers. Aclara won a Frost & Sullivan Global Smart Energy Networks Enabling Technology Leadership Award in 2017 and was named a finalist in three categories of the  Platts Global Energy Awards in 2016. Visit us at Aclara.com, follow us on Twitter @AclaraSolutions or read our blog.

About Hubbell Power Systems
Hubbell Power Systems, Inc. (HPS) is a subsidiary of Hubbell Incorporated and an international manufacturer of quality transmission, distribution, substation, OEM and telecommunications products for a broad range of non-residential and residential construction and electric, gas and water utility applications. With revenues of $1.1 billion, HPS operates manufacturing facilities in the United States and around the world. The headquarters is located in Columbia, South Carolina.

SOURCE Aclara

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http://www.aclara.com