Demand-Side Management Implications of Electrically-Based Manufacturing Technologies

The energy consequences of 17 industrial electrotechnologies are considered in the context of 14 2-digit SIC industries as a basis for utility demand-side management decision making. A matrix of electrotechnology-industry application combinations is presented in which each entry falls into one of four categories: (1) increased electricity and primary fuel use, but with positive impact on other production factors, (2) decreased electricity use with negligible end-use fossil fuel impact, (3) increased electricity use but reduced primary fuel use, and (4) decreased electricity and primary fuel use. Examples are presented and energy impacts calculated for several cases to illustrate the tradeoffs involved in electrotechnology process substitution. The implications of these tradeoffs in terms of utility demand-side management program strategies are discussed.