Here is a complete guide to the planning and implementation of effective demand-side management programs. This excellent reference provides expert guidance for every component of the DSM program, including load management programs, forecasting, pricing, and promotion of efficient end-use technologies. For the power user, it will provide new insight into utility incentive and rebate programs, and how to best take advantage of cost-saving benefits.

A NATO Advanced Study Institute on "Demand-Side Management and Electricity End-Use Efficiency" was held in order to present and to discuss some of the most recent developments in demand-side electric power management and planning methodologies as well as research progress in relevant end-use technologies. Electricity is assuming an increasingly important role in buildings and industry, due to its flexibility, efficiency of conversion and cleanliness at the point of use. However the production and transmission of electricity requires huge investments and may have undesirable environmental impacts. The recent nuclear accident in Chernobyl and the damage caused by acid precipitation are creating increasing concerns about the impacts of power plants. Some environmental problems are local or regional, others such as global warming can affect the whole world. Although environmental impacts may be minimized with additional investments, electricity generation will become even more capital intensive. Energy, and electricity in particular, is not directly consumed by people. To achieve improved standards of living, what is important is. the level of production of goods and services. If it is possible to produce the same quantity of goods and services with less electricity and in a cost-effective way, substantial benefits can be gained. By reducing costs, electricity efficiency can raise the standards of living and increase the competitiveness of an economy. Electricity efficiency also leads to reduced requirements in power plant operation, thus leading to reduced consumption of primary energy supplies and a higher quality environment.

Reviews and analyzes the economics of demand side management (DSM) conservation programs in theory and practice, using the regulation of electric utilities as an example and focusing on efficacy of DSM in carbon dioxide emissions reduction plans. Presents an economic model for the demand for energy and efficiency, then analyzes determinants of consumers' decisions using a service framework. That framework is applied in chapters on observed market failures, utilities' motivation for conservation, and conservation incentives for utilities and consumers. Discusses asymmetric information and strategic consumer reactions, and looks at the impact of US DSM on electricity demand. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The current regulatory system often serves to financially reward utilities that sell more electricity and penalise those that sell less, thus discouraging energy efficiency. To address the problem, a variety of reforms have been proposed and implemented to make the least-cost plan for meeting future electricty needs the most-profit plan for the utility. This book brings together contributions by over 20 experts who are currently shaping regulatory incentives across the US. These experts analyze: leading incentive mechanisms; rationales for regulatory incentives; how incentives evolved; linkages to programme evaluation; impacts of incentives on utilities; and the future direction of incentives.