Demand Side Management Integration Issues a Case History

The integration of a Demand Side Management (DSM) system into a utility begins as soon as the first DSM pilot program is conceived and continues through implementation until the complete system is installed. Florida Power & Light Company for its DSM implementation has considered two integration issues through the different implementation phases: viability demonstration of the DSM system, and user participation in the formulation of the system. DSM should address at any time the viability concerns of customer acceptance and customer demand reduction levels. These two concerns on viability must be examined throughout the life of the project. The second integration issue, user participation, was deemed necessary since acceptance of a poorly understood system is difficult and rejection of a system which does not fulfill the user needs is almost guaranteed. Proper consideration of the viability and user participation issues will greatly enhance DSM system integration into the utility.