Experiences on Demand-Side-Management Options of Small- and Medium-Scale Industries in Finland

Abstract

Due to the diversified rate structure, many of the small- and medium- scale industrial consumers have a natural incentive for different Demand-Side-Management (DSM) measures in Finland. The field research work, which lasted for over two years and was aimed to study these options in practice, revealed that each customer forms a unique case for which individual solutions must be found in order to level the electric load and to reduce energy costs. Peak clipping by solely controlling customers’ own loads seldom yields substantial benefits. In some cases the modification of customers’ own power-generating engines for peak clipping, which initially have been purchased for other purposes, such as emergency or stand-by aggregates, can come into question. However, many practical details restrict the applicability of these solutions. Investments for sophisticated, computer-based load control devices are justified in cases where other monitoring- and management functions besides DSM can be implemented in the system. In the future a closer co-operation between the customer and the distributing utility can enhance the benefits of the current DSM options.