Portland, Ore.-based Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a federal power marketing agency, has joined with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to address issues such as electricity savings, demand reduction and peak load management. BPA is one of approximately 30 electric utilities that will collaborate with EPRI.
A recent study performed by the institute found that there is potential for the U.S. electricity sector to reduce carbon dioxide emissions over the coming decades through the use of new technology, the organizations say. Therefore, the EPRI energy efficiency research program will address the need for new technology by understanding and measuring the economic and environmental impacts of energy efficiency measures and programs; developing design and functionality criteria for an infrastructure capable of handling energy efficiency technology advancements, such as demand response systems, distributed generation and intermittent renewable energy; and creating smart end-use equipment that can respond in real time to utility and consumer energy management needs.
"Our participation in this initiative and collaboration with dozens of participating utilities will move us further and faster down the road to better energy efficiency technologies than we could do alone," says Steve Hickok, BPA's deputy administrator.
