Website: www.puc.idaho.gov
Commission OKs new load control program
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved a
second Irrigation Load Control Program for customers of Rocky Mountain Power
that could save up to 45 megawatts of demand on Rocky Mountain’s system.
Under the program, eastern Idaho irrigators who volunteer
to participate would get financial credit for allowing Rocky Mountain Power
(formerly Utah Power) to interrupt service during times of peak demand. This
program differs from an existing irrigation load control program in that the
company can interrupt service remotely from a central network server in Boise.
Rather than service interruptions taking place on a scheduled basis – as is the
case with the existing irrigation load control program – interruptions would be
at the company’s discretion. The network server will communicate with
customers, using either cell phone or e-mail technology to alert them of
impending interruptions to service, or “dispatch events.”
The pilot program also differs from the existing program
in that credits are yearly rather than on a monthly basis.
Rocky Mountain Power will allow eligible customers to
enroll on a first-come, first-served basis.
Total curtailment per participating customer would be
limited to no more than 65 hours during the 2007 irrigation season per
customer. Dispatch events would occur anytime between 2 and 8 p.m., Mondays
through Fridays during the irrigation season. Rocky Mountain Power will credit
the bills of participating customers at the end of the irrigation season.
Participants can opt out of a dispatch event up to five times during the 2007
irrigation season. If participants opt out more than twice, the credit paid to
the participant will be reduced by the replacement cost of the energy during
the dispatch event.
Rocky Mountain’s application proposes limited participation
on a first-come, first-served basis during the 2007 irrigation season. The
company will report to the commission regarding participation levels and amount
of load reduction achieved.
A full
text of the commission’s order, along with other documents related to this
case, are available on the commission’s Web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on “File Room”
and then on “Electric Cases” and scroll down to case number PAC-E-06-12.