xirian
Premium
join:2003-01-26
Beacon, NY | what no
Why would I want them to be able to turn off my cooling system when it is hot? thats just stupid. |
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Nighttime
join:2001-11-30 | Actualy most modern car's have a automatic turnoff for the compressor to shut it off on idle and acceleration. And that also what the AC button does also.
But would rather have the final desision on cutting back. |
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calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
| The plans that have been circulated almost always involve voluntary participation by the end-user. You can either choose to let the utility shut off your A/C for 20 minutes or so once per day, or not. Of course, if you choose not to let that happen, you're probably in a higher rate bracket.
As a way to handle sudden peaks, I can see this, but does it really shift that much load? I mean, maybe my A/C runs 75% of the time on the hottest day, but won't a 20 minute shutoff just be followed by enough continuous running that it won't make a real difference in load overall?
(Above is a figure of speech--I don't have home A/C.)
calvoiper
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VoIP--the death knell of remaining voice monopolies! |
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fireflier
Coffee. . .Need Coffee
Premium
join:2001-05-25
Limbo
 ·Skype
| said by calvoiper  :As a way to handle sudden peaks, I can see this, but does it really shift that much load? I mean, maybe my A/C runs 75% of the time on the hottest day, but won't a 20 minute shutoff just be followed by enough continuous running that it won't make a real difference in load overall? Most electric utilities reach a peak between the hours of 17:00 and 20:00 in summer. Being able to turn off hundreds of HVAC units for 20 minutes in an offset fashion can shave the top of the peak off and permits the utility to avoid running expensive peaking capacity (e.g. pumped storage, combustion turbine, etc.) or purchasing expensive off-system energy (if any is even available).
Once the peak has passed, the staggered HVAC control can be returned to normal. Yes, many units will be running and will run for longer periods of time to make up for the lack of air conditioning during the 20 minute window, but if it's after peak the utility can usually handle it.
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When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other. |
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contsole
Premium
join:2003-12-30
Bloomfield, CT
| reply to xirian
My brother allowed his utility to install load shed equipment at his house. They used a VHF radio rather than bpl. They are permitted to dump a load for a maximum of 15 minutes during a 2 hour period. In exchange for this ability they rebate $30 per month. (10 for a/c, 10 for hot water heater, 10 for pool pump). Seems fair to me. If you don't like it, they will stop using it. |
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calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
| Yes, that's the type of voluntary participation that makes much sense. Note particularly that this is fairly easily accomplished using low-bandwidth radio control--not really much of a major motivating factor for broadband deployment, though it probably works to justify it to technically ignorant regulators whose biggest venture into hardware was changing the ribbon on their Smith-Corona portable typewriter in college....
calvoiper
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VoIP--the death knell of remaining voice monopolies! |
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