Demand side management (DSM) programs are finding creative ways to expand their reach as utilities and jurisdictions look to transform energy consumption.

In an Energy Central article, Navigant Research’s Jessie Mehrhoff, research analyst, explained that for the transformation to occur, traditional approaches to energy efficiency will need to merge with demand response (DR).

Mehrhoff explained that over the next decade, flexible energy management will be driven by integrating a variety of distributed energy resources (DER) in utility DSM programs, which can help achieve sustainability targets, reduce operational costs, and simplify program enrollment. She highlighted a few devices that will be a part of this next generation of technologies: 

• Smart water heaters: Once connected to the grid, will provide a higher value proposition for DR and energy efficiency programs.
• Learning smart thermostats: Will not only remain key components of many bring your own device DR programs but will also play a greater role in efficiency programs. 
• Electric vehicles: Will provide a platform for load shifting through managed charging programs.

“Accompanying this proliferation [of new technologies] will be continued rollouts of advanced metering infrastructure and grid-edge computing to facilitate both the breadth and depth of demand side flexibility,” Mehrhoff said. “As grid modernization efforts continue, grid operators, technology vendors, and program providers will be able to open new revenue streams by operating in a customer-centric fashion.”