Irrigation Load Management Considerations for a Small Electric Utility

In a joint effort with farmers and the Cooperative, a method was devised to accomplish load management using control of irrigation pumps. The farmers then became the primary beneficiaries, while the other ratepayers were indirect beneficiaries. The relationship between the Cooperative and its customers provides an unusual, but not unique, perspective that can be adopted by other electric utilities. The social cost of avoiding entry into irrigation load management was one of the most important considerations in the decision favoring involvement in such a program.