Demand Dispatch - Using Real-Time Control of Demand to help Balance Generation and Load

DEMAND RESPONSE (DR) TRADITIONALLY REFERS TO THE ability to curtail some electrical loads at peak times to alleviate the need for peaking generation sources. Basically, it means being able to turn loads off on command. Progress in communication protocols and technology has been extraordinary in the past decade, making cheap, fast communication widespread. Over the next decade, we expect inexpensive broadband to become ubiquitous. In addition, more and more electrical loads are equipped for communication as well as control. Together, these trends enable a new way of thinking about DR, which we call demand dispatch.

• Hardware and Architecture