Task 2 – Communication Technologies for Demand-Side Management

Synopsis

Task 2 started in 1993 and was concluded in 2003. In consequence the Task carried out work over the whole period of transition of utility businesses in many countries from utilities with a single product offering to full commercial companies. New utility businesses are now competitive entities seeking to offer a range of products to meet customer and market requirements. Task 2 was initially conceived to study the issue of providing cost effective communication for energy management services in a utility environment.

Achieved Results

Over the period of existence the Task developed, through input of participating countries, into a project to deliver cost effective energy management and energy efficiency improvement services, as well as a range of services which were percieved as meeting potential market and customer requirements. These services included remote diagnostics of energy consuming appliances, remote CHP and embedded generation management, as well as security and medical assistance provision. The bundling of multiple and diverse services was shown to be the most effective way of meeting financial viability requirements. Techno-economic studies were carried out to determine these issues.