I. OBJECTIVE
To establish guidelines for developing and implementing an effective and comprehensive load management program. The load management program should be used to increase the sale of off-peak electricity and control peak demand purchases to better utilize the existing electric distribution plant by improving the Cooperative's load factor.
II. CONTENT
A.Load Management Program
1.The Cooperative shall utilize the load management system available through East River Electric to the fullest extent possible.
2.The load management program shall be used to cycle on and off a member-consumer's use of electricity for selected purposes during times of peak usage through a remotely activated load control receiver.
3.The Cooperative shall promote the idea of load management and the options available to the member-consumers through various information programs in accordance with budget limitations of the Cooperative.
4.Member-consumer participation in the load management program shall be on a voluntary first come, first served basis, but all member-consumers shall be urged to participate in the joint effort to hold down the rising cost of electricity.
5.At such time that the load management program develops to a level whereby additional controls become counter productive or the controlling of loads become unfeasible, the Cooperative reserves the right to limit further installations.
B.Load Management Options
1.Water Heating Systems
a.The voluntary control of electric hot water heater circuits shall be available for member-consumers whose water heaters have a capacity of 50 gallons or more, a 240 volt service and a total wattage of 1,000 watts or more.
b.The Cooperative shall make a special rate available to those member-consumers participating in this option.
2.Home Heating Systems; All Electric (Primary Heat)
a.The primary heating system shall be separately metered or sub-metered and the member-consumer shall provide suitable equipment for the installation of the meter. The Cooperative shall provide the metering equipment which shall remain the property of the Cooperative and shall be mounted outside the structure.
b.The electric energy requirements of the primary heating system shall be at least eight (8) kilowatts or whole house heating. Air-to-air heat pumps in conjunction with a secondary fossil fuel system shall qualify.
c.Any qualifying heating system shall be eligible to include their usage for controlled central air-conditioning and controlled water heating on the electric heat meter or sub-meter.
d.The Cooperative shall make available a special rate to those member-consumers participating in this option.
3.Home Heating Systems; All Electric Homes with Heat Storage
a.The heat storage system shall be capable of heating a limited area of the structure for an extended period of time under the "warm room" concept. In cases where a central heat storage furnace is installed, the central heat storage system shall be capable of heating the entire structure for a period of up to sixteen (16) hours.
b.The portion of the electric heating system under control shall be separately metered or sub-metered and the member-consumer shall provide suitable equipment for the installation of the meter. The Cooperative shall provide the metering equipment which shall remain the property of the Cooperative and shall be mounted outside the structure.
c.The combined electric energy requirements of the heat storage units shall be at least four (4) kilowatts.
d.Any qualifying heat storage system shall be eligible to include their usage for controlled central air-conditioning and controlled water heating on the heat storage system meter or sub-meter.
e.The Cooperative shall make a special rate available to those member-consumers participating in this option.
4.Irrigation Systems
a.The irrigation system shall be controlled so that the complete irrigation system is de-energized during control periods. The control circuit shall be located between the center pivot and the control panel.
b.The Cooperative shall seal all load control receivers. In the event the member-consumer wishes to override the control, the seal may be broken and the by-pass switch operated. As a result of such action, the member-consumer shall be billed demand charges for that billing period according to the rate schedule. The Cooperative shall reseal the control at the end of each billing period when the meter is read.
c.The Cooperative shall make a special rate available to those member-consumers participating in this option.
5.Grain Drying Systems
a.The control of the entire grain drying system or the electric fans only is available to member-consumers with a minimum of ten (10) horsepower or seven and one-half (7½) kilowatts of controlled load per bin. Any bin with fossil fuel heat shall not qualify for load control.
b.The portion of the grain drying system under control shall be separately metered or sub-metered. The member-consumer shall provide suitable equipment for the installation of the meter including all control wires required by the Cooperative. The Cooperative shall provide the metering equipment, which shall remain the property of the Cooperative.
c.The Cooperative shall make a special rate available to those member-consumers participating in this option.
6.Other Options
a. The load management program may be expanded by the Board of Directors to include other feasible types of controllable loads that increase the system's load factor.
C.Load Management Rules and Regulations
1.The Cooperative shall furnish, install and maintain the load control receiver unit and associated hardware at no direct cost to the member-consumer and that equipment shall remain the property of the Cooperative. Installation of all other automatic controls shall be the responsibility of the member-consumer, subject to the rules and regulations of the Cooperative.
2.The member-consumer shall wire the structure to provide for the installation of the load control receiver unit and metering equipment in accordance with the National Electrical Code and the National Electric Safety Code.
3.The Cooperative shall inspect and approve each load management installation.
4.The Cooperative reserves the right to have the electric power to the controlled equipment interrupted during periods of system peak demand or emergencies. Controls may be at any time during a month and shall be based on the control strategy established by East River.
5.No other loads, except those specified by the Cooperative, may be connected to the controlled circuit and the member-consumer shall comply with all rules and regulations of the Cooperative.
6.Cooperative personnel shall have access to the control unit for maintenance and inspection purposes, as the control unit shall normally be located on the inside of the structure.
7.The member-consumer reserves the right to have the control receiver disengaged or removed.
8.The control system and the metering shall be sealed and any member-consumer tampering with this equipment may be subject to penalties and legal action. Tampering could constitute just cause for the Cooperative to refuse continuation of any special rate.
9.The Cooperative shall not be liable for any loss or damage caused by or resulting from any interruption of service or malfunction of the control equipment.
III. RESPONSIBILITY
The General Manager is responsible for administering this policy and for recommending to the Board any changes deemed desirable.
EFFECTIVE DATE: June 19, 2014
DATE ADOPTED: April 19, 2001
DATE REVIEWED: August 20, 2009
DATE REVIEWED: May 23, 2013
DATE REVISED: June 19, 2014
ATTESTED: __________________________________
Chris Hofer, Secretary
