Multifamily Power Partner Program Impact Evaluation.

Presented in this article is an evaluation of impacts for the multifamily Power Partner (PP) program. This demand response (DR) program is designed to reduce electrical system peak during periods of high grid demand through air conditioner curtailment in apartments. The multifamily sector is evaluated using both logger and automatic meter read (AMR) data. Impacts from the two methods indicate that the multifamily population trends to higher second hour impacts over the first hour of demand response in contrast to single-family and small commercial customers covered in previous internal Austin Energy (AE) studies. Estimated program curtailment values range from 3 MW to 4.5 MW below the current program estimate of 81 MW for the entire single-family and multifamily DR population. Control group method of impact evaluation is recommended as it is noted that extreme days, when curtailments are initiated, may have a different load profile than more moderate hot days used for baseline statistical analysis. Migration from one-way radio controlled thermostats to two-way communicating equipment is also recommended. Equations for estimating program impacts for the multifamily program as a function of temperature and hour of impact are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]