Great River Energy: Water Heater Potential and Application
Recommended Citation
Blumenstock, Sophie, Katrina Little, Jamie Stallman, and Natalie Townsend. 2021. Great River Energy: Water Heater Potential and Application. Capstone Project.
Abstract
This report provides analysis and recommendations about demand-side management programs involving water heaters at the energy cooperative Great River Energy (GRE). We provide an introduction with background on GRE and water heater (WH) demand-side management (DSM) technology. We then highlight two case studies. The first case study examines WH DSM programs used at utilities comparable to GRE and provides context into how GRE could learn from what peer utilities do. The second case study turns internal and looks at the existing web-based communication strategies of GRE’s 28 member-owner cooperatives. We conducted interviews with member-owner co-ops and WH wholesalers and technicians to gain insight into how GRE can better facilitate load management and improve communications about these programs. We conclude with recommendations and example communication methods. Additional information on the interview process and sample communication graphics can be found in the appendixes.
