Re: [smartpowerdir] [smartpower-interest] FYI OSTP requests input on SmartGrid

[Geoff Mulligan <[e-mail]>]

On Sat, 2010-02-13 at 15:02 -0800, Andy Bierman wrote:
> Gene Gaines wrote:
> > Richard.
> >
> > 1) The cost of electricity DOES vary significantly during the day.
> > Actually for many (but not all) types of power generation, a huge 
> > factor in cost of power is the peak load.  Spread (delay) the peak
> > load even just a small amount and the cost of power (to the
> > power company) can be reduced significantly.
> >
> > The above is cost to the utility company; the price they charge 
> > you is a different thing.  I expect that in the future as more is
> > known by consumers, the charge for power will come to more
> > closely mirror the cost of power.
> >
> 
> I can see benefit to the utility company, but not for
> the homeowner unless the savings are passed along,
> instead of billing on total monthly Kwh alone.

This is exactly what Time Of Use billing is.  Many utilities now offer
this, rather than a monthly Kwh charge.  If you "shift" your usage to
lower cost hours you save money.

	geoff