Adam R. Peterson (Editor)

Series: Energy Policies, Politics and Prices
BISAC: SCI021000

Demand response is a valuable resource for meeting the nation’s energy needs. By lowering the peak demand for energy, demand response programs reduce the need to construct new, expensive generation units. However, according to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) staff report “A National Assessment of Demand Response Potential (National Assessment), submitted to Congress in June 2009,” current demand response programs tap less than a quarter of the total market potential for demand response.

The FERC staff has worked with stakeholders to develop a National Action Plan on Demand Response (National Action Plan), which sets out actions to achieve the demand response potential in the United States. Congress required the FERC to develop such a plan in the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. Because current efforts have missed a significant portion of the cost-effective demand response potential, it is evident that action needs to be taken to either create new programs or expand existing ones where cost-effective. This book provides an overview of the National Action Plan, the process behind its development and context for understanding it. (Imprint: Nova)