ABSTRACT
There are essentially 4 ways to cut a facility’s average electric rate (as versus its electric consumption): reduce regulated tariff rates for supply and/or delivery, minimize peak kW demand, both monthly and annually, capture incentives and credits offered in utility and/or government programs, including tax breaks and secure cheaper supply via subsidies, competitive procurement, and/or self-generation. No one technique is likely to cut the people electric bills by more than a few percent. Pursuing multiple options, however, may together do so by 10% to 20% at a lower cost than most energy efficiency measures. For some customers, no savings may be possible. For others, potentially lucrative rewards have made the effort worthwhile for those having the patience and persistence needed to achieve them. Some options require a grasp of issues that may be beyond the job descriptions of many facility (and some energy) managers.
