In this issue
		Energy Services Bulletin home page
		Energy Services Bulletin moves to monthly publishing schedule
		Ft. Carson sustainability program honors Western employee for support
		Luke AFB takes energy efficiency to new heights
		Western workshops prepare for demand-side management revival
		Topics from the Power Line: Consider cost in determining most effective level of insulation
		Energy shorts
		Calendar of events

Western workshops prepare for demand-side management revival

In the utility industry, as in fashion, what goes out of style will be back someday. Demand-side management, "that '70s program," is starting to look like a hot new idea for dealing with rising energy costs and less reliable supply sources. That's why Western's Energy Services is presenting a workshop Jan. 24 to help utility staff who are new to DSM, or who need to re-energize their program, develop  effective DSM strategies.

Second in series covers "how-to"

"How to Plan and Implement Demand Side Management Programs" will take place at Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association headquarters in Westminster, Colo., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. "This event is for utilities that are already committed to DSM but lack experience designing and implementing programs," said Energy Marketing Consultant Ed Thomas.

Thomas, who has designed marketing programs for Delta Montrose Electric Association and Intermountain Energy, is working with Energy Services to produce a series of DSM webinars and workshops. "The Nov. 14 webinar, 'Introduction to Demand-Side Management,' made the case for why utilities should do DSM," he continued. "Like the title says, the Jan. 24 workshop is the 'how-to.' Utility staff who are responsible for integrated resource planning and program implementation will really benefit from the material we'll cover."

"Western's goal with this workshop is to 're-introduce' demand-side management to our firm power customers," said Mike Radecki, Energy Services representative for Western's Upper Great Plains region.

Radecki and Rocky Mountain Regional Energy Services Representative Peggy Plate will serve as moderators for the workshop session, "Launching and Reenergizing Your DSM Programs: Identifying Next Steps and Program Resource Needs."

Learning from experience

Other highlights of the daylong workshop include:

• How DSM Can Meet Your Load Objectives
• Getting Management Buy-In: The Drivers to Develop and Implement DSM Programs
• Do the Math: Calculating and Articulating the Value of DSM
• Roundtable Discussion of DSM Challenges

Specific measures, such as water heater control, are not the focus of this particular event, Thomas said. "We talked with a lot of utilities, and we kept hearing that people were most interested in the big picture—how to sell DSM to the board, how to track results," he explained. "They want the chance to talk to organizations that have had experience with DSM."

Representatives from utilities with successful DSM strategies, as well as from utilities that are still developing their programs, will share best practices and lessons learned.

Participants will also learn how technology has changed since the early days of DSM and how methods for projecting, measuring and evaluating program effectiveness have improved.  "While DSM programs have been in existence for many years, there are new evaluation tools and concepts to help utilities to determine which DSM activities will work best for their unique circumstances," said Radecki.

The speakers hail mainly from Western's territory and from utilities similar in size to those the participants represent. "We looked for presenters who could offer replicable experiences," Thomas said.

Growing call for load management

Response to the first webinar bears out that strategy. Energy Services Representative Dave Opsahl from Western customer Wilmar Municipal Utilities gave a presentation explaining how demand-side management benefited his utility, and, "Ever since, people have been calling to find out more about our program," he said. "The webinar generated all kinds of interest."

Radecki pointed out that the interest already exists to a large extent, which is why Energy Services is producing the DSM education series. "A lot of factors have come together to create this need for utilities to look at ways to get more control of their loads," he said. "We are bringing together the resources to help them do it."

Those factors come from a variety of directions, according to Thomas. Customers are anxious about rising utility bills. Generation and transmission entities face legislative mandates and community pressures to explore all options before building new power plants. Distribution utilities want to control the costs they are paying for supplemental power, and, "Utility managers also feel a moral obligation to be better environmental stewards," Thomas stated. "DSM is one of the most inexpensive and effective approaches available to power providers to protect our natural resources."

The Jan. 24 workshop will focus on all of those concerns, and more. "We want everyone to go home with actionable items." said Radecki.

Those DSM issues are not limited to the Rocky Mountain Region, so Western will team up with Missouri River Energy Services to present the workshop on Feb. 27 at MRES headquarters in Sioux Falls, S.D.  "This workshop is very timely for MRES and its members," said MRES Energy Services Supervisor Joni Livingston.  "MRES is at a stage where it needs additional power supply.  DSM is our least-cost resource and we want to promote it as much as possible." 

Another follow-up webinar is planned for March. Watch the Energy Services Web site for the date and registration information.  "We want to make sure everyone who needs this information has a chance to participate," Radecki said.