IRPs help customers achieve big energy savings in 2004

As new calendars go up on office walls and bulletin boards everywhere, it is time to reflect on what went well during the last 12 months and what needs to be done in the year to come. Integrated resource planning gives Western customers a convenient yardstick to measure past successes and plan for future energy needs.

Updated rules give customers reporting options
Under the Department of Energy’s Energy Planning and Management program, Western customers must submit an annual progress report and a new IRP every five years. In 2000, Western updated the requirements to give customers more flexibility in reporting.

A total of 299 customers submitted new energy plans in 2004. Western received 111 reports from individual customers and 34 plans from cooperatives. The revised regulations allow customers that belong to member-based associations to submit IRPs and annual progress reports either individually or cooperatively.

Customers selling or using less than 25 GWh annually submitted 83 small customer plans, and 71 customers submitted minimum investment reports. MIRs are an option for customers required by state, tribal or Federal regulation to have demand-side management, renewable energy or energy efficiency programs.

Annual reports show industry trends
Solid planning is the springboard for success and the 2004 progress reports showed Western’s 715 customers aiming for and reaching new heights. The total kilowatts saved by demand side management strategies was 895,650—almost double the savings of the previous year. Customers achieved this impressive figure while actually spending slightly less on DSM programs in 2004.

Westernwide, DSM strategies focused on lighting technologies, HVAC systems with emphasis on cooling and ventilation, energy audits across all market segments and load management. DSM champ customers in the Upper Great Plains region used load management, lighting programs, weatherization, new construction and motor and pump replacement to save 504,500 kW.

Customers reported increased support for energy efficiency measures of all kinds. In addition to the re-emergence of demand side management activities, consumers requested more education on energy efficiency technologies. Agricultural customers looked for new and better ways to manage and conserve water resources and improve pump efficiency.

Renewables gain influence in decision-making
Growing interest in renewable energy technology was another trend that continued in 2004. Utilities’ spent $57 million on renewables, an increase of more than $1 million over the previous year. The most popular renewable activities remained the same as in 2003. Large and small hydropower, followed by wind generation and photovoltaic technology topped customer choices. Geothermal and biomass generation rounded out the 2004 list.

While cost and reliability are still customers’ highest priorities, many are assigning greater importance to renewable energy technologies. Concerns about foreign energy dependence, the environment and security also play a role in utility planning. Other factors affecting decision-making included developing technologies, affordable energy options and regulations.

Making sound decisions means keeping an eye on the big picture, and integrated resource planning provides it by tracking efficiency and renewable energy programs—and their results—over the long term. When it comes time for Western and our customers to take stock and make resolutions, we know where we have been and where we want to go, thanks to IRPs. At the end of the year, you can’t ask for a better tool than that.