ABSTRACT
Since the mid-1980s, demand-side management has been an important element of the electric utility
planning approach referred to as “integrated resource planning.” At that time, annual demand-side
management expenditures in the U.S. were measured in billions of dollars, energy savings were measured
in billions of kilowatts hours, and peak load reductions were stated in thousands of megawatts. Although
activities nationally have slowed since then, there are a number of instances where demand-side
management continued to influence the demand for electricity. This article defines demand-side
management, describes the role demand-side management plays in integrated resource planning, and
discusses the main elements of demand-side management programs. It then presents case studies of four
successful demand-side management programs that were offered between 2001 and 2003.
