Electricity demand in South Australia is continuously increasing with the connection of new businesses and homes. This puts increasing pressure on the network causing short peaks in demand. The aim of Demand Management is to encourage a change in electricity usage.
Working with our customers, we helping you to think differently about energy usage. For example: moving energy usage to off-peak times, substituting sources of generation, installing more efficient equipment and appliances, direct load control and energy efficiency audits are all ways to address peak demand.
Why do we need Demand Management?
SA Power Networks has introduced a new metering structure in which all South Australian multiphase commercial properties will roll over in the next three years to an Actual Demand Tariff Structure. This new tariff will penalise high electricity consumption during peak periods, this has the potential to increase your electricity bill by 30-50%.
Approaches to Managing Demand
Demand management can include reducing or changing patterns of energy use.
For businesses this could include:
- Reducing your demand at peak times
- Moving your main hours of operation to earlier or later in the day on days of peak demand
- Substituting where your power comes from during peak hours, i.e. use a generator, or cogeneration
- Installing more efficient equipment, such as energy efficient lights and air conditioning
- Improving the power factor of loads by installing power factor correction capacitor banks
