Conservation Research Initiative
British Columbians are showing that energy conservation can make a difference.
BC Hydro has been conducting a Conservation Research Initiative since November 2006 to examine how individual British Columbians can make a difference and help meet the growing demand for electricity in B.C. by conserving power in their homes.
This important electricity conservation study is being conducted in more than 1,800 residential homes in Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Campbell River and Fort St. John.
The study is testing time-of-use rates and smart meters (digital meters that measure hourly electricity consumption) to help us better understand how adjusting the price of electricity at different times of day influences energy use by residential customers. Study participants are encouraged to conserve electricity and shift usage to off-peak times.
Year One Results
Data from the first year shows that participants reduced their total energy consumption by an average of 7.6 per cent during the winter peak period. And an impressive 63 per cent of participants saved money by conserving and shifting their energy consumption to off-peak hours.
During the peak hours from November 2006 to February 2007, participants successfully reduced their household energy consumption by the following amounts:
| Reduction in energy use during peak hours | |
| All regions | 11.5% |
| Lower Mainland | 10.3% |
| Campbell River | 15.9% |
| Fort St. John | 14.4% |
Why Are We Doing This?
B.C.'s economy is growing, and so is our demand for energy. In fact, for years we have been using more electricity than we produce here in B.C. The Province has set a goal of achieving electricity self-sufficiency by 2016, and conservation is the first and best choice to help achieve that goal. That's why we are encouraging all British Columbians to conserve more. We'll need everyone's help to make it happen.
BC Hydro needs to provide enough electricity to meet the peak electricity demand – the demand on the coldest days of the year at the highest-use period of the day. Shifting electricity to off-peak hours will reduce peak demand and allow us to delay adding new generation facilities to our system. It's a way of doing more with existing resources.
Year Two Plans
BC Hydro is planning to continue the Conservation Research Initiative for a second year starting November 1, 2007 to improve understanding of customer acceptance with respect to time-of-use rates, conservation and shifting of energy use to off-peak hours. The research will also allow us to test several new time-of-use rates and continue testing smart meter technology. We also plan to examine technologies that adjust the temperature of electric water heaters and thermostats during extreme weather conditions, when electricity demand is at its highest.
Volunteer participants
Participants who complete Year Two of the study ending October 31, 2008, will be entered in a draw for a chance to win one of four ENERGY STAR labelled refrigerators valued at approximately $2,500 each.
Once the study is complete on October 31, 2008, BC Hydro will compile and analyze the data and prepare a report on the findings for the British Columbia Utilities Commission. An analysis will also be provided to each participant outlining how their usage patterns changed.
