Demand Response Advisory Committee

What is Demand Response?

Demand response is a non-persistent intentional change in net electricity usage by end-use customers from normal consumptive patterns in response to a request on behalf of, or by, a power and/or distribution/transmission system operator. This change is driven by an agreement, potentially financial, or tariff between two or more participating parties.

Background

The Demand Response Advisory Committee (DRAC) serves as a regional forum to advise the Northwest Power and Conservation Council on assessing demand response as a key resource within the Northwest’s energy portfolio. Demand response — the voluntary and temporary adjustment of electricity consumption in response to system needs or incentives — has the potential to provide capacity to the region while helping address peak demand and system reliability challenges.

The Committee brings together diverse stakeholders, including utilities, consumer advocates, regulators, tribal representatives, and energy industry experts to refine analytical methods, identify barriers to implementation, and shape assumptions for regional planning. The DRAC’s work supports development of demand response supply curves, informs the Power Plan’s action items, and promotes a common understanding of how demand response resources can be scaled and deployed in the Northwest.

DRAC meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity for robust discussion of demand response in the region.

The DRAC is chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Its members are appointed by the Council. Specific members can be solicited by the Council or membership can be voluntary in response to requests for membership. 

For more information, or to be added to the meeting distribution list, please contact Chad Madron.