Though it seems like it was only a few years ago that we first met, when I spoke to Elliot Boardman about this interview in March, he reminded me that PLMA – the Peak Load Management Alliance – is about to celebrate its tenth anniversary! This caused me to reflect on just how much this part of the market has changed in a decade. Among the most notable changes is that Load Management has become Demand Response. This is more than just a change of label, however; indeed, it symbolizes a change of mindset as well where the pervasive problem of load control is concerned. The emphasis on demand response is a something that I’m quite certain we’ll all be watching closely in the weeks, months and years ahead as the new national energy policy continues to unfold.
EET&D: Let’s start with an easy question, but one that a lot of our readers probably won’t be able to answer on their own: What exactly is the Peak Load Management Alliance, and who formed it?
Boardman: The Peak Load Management Alliance (PLMA) is a diverse association of leading energy professionals dedicated to developing and promoting consumer participation in electricity markets around the world using load management. It was formed by a group of interested organizations following a conference that was held in Palm Beach, Florida in October 1999. This group had specific interests in dealing with the tremendous price fluctuations and reliability problems experienced in electricity supply markets.
EET&D: Could you perhaps also share some insights about the form of the organization and its mission/vision?
Boardman: Sure. First off, the Alliance is a not-for-profit organization. As such, we reinvest most of our revenue – mainly from membership fees and other PLMA activities – right back into the association for the benefit of our members.
An important part of my job is making sure we stay focused on the objectives put forth by our mission statement, which is very simple and straightforward:
“To create a community of expertise on demand response and its role in creating efficient electricity markets. Through this community, the Alliance will bring forward useful information on price responsive loads, market structures and market rules. This will include information on market participants roles, customer needs and actions, enabling technologies, and specific programs as appropriate.”
Our primary vehicle for achieving our goal is the preparation and delivery of educational and strategic information targeted at the regulatory process, operating markets, market counterparties and the way these organizations interact with consumers.
EET&D: We know that some organizations like yours are professionally managed while others depend extensively or, in some cases, entirely on volunteerism. Can you tell us more about how the PLMA is managed and its membership composition?
Boardman: The constituent organizations of PLMA selected A.C.E. Management – an association management firm located in Houston (TX) – to provide administrative services for the Alliance. Over the past decade, PLMA has grown to include member organizations from all phases of the demand response industry. In fact, it is the only one of its kind, counting among its member organizations utilities, retail providers of electricity, curtailment service providers, demand response equipment suppliers, research organizations, trade associations and consulting firms.
EET&D: With that kind of diverse membership, it seems like it would be quite a challenge to make sure everyone’s needs are being met – especially since those needs are probably as diverse as your members. What are some of the services the PLMA provides to its members?
Boardman: Well, you’re right about the diversity, and we’re always looking for new and better ways to serve our members. Among our most important activities are conferences and workshops – both conventional and Web-based – and training seminars. But we also produce and publish white papers, newsletters and various other information vehicles in printed and electronic formats, as well as responding to queries from regulatory agencies.
EET&D: Can you give readers a specific example of the role PLMA plays in the national dialog on Smart Grid and energy efficiency?
Boardman: Earlier this year, FERC was seeking input regarding the content of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The solicitation was intended to generate comments on the possible elements to include in a National Action Plan on Demand Response.
The solicitation focused on the requirement – described in section 529 of the Act – to develop a National Action Plan. The broad purpose of this initiative was to meet three main objectives:
- Identification of requirements for technical assistance to States to allow them to maximize demand response resources
- Design and identification of requirements for implementation of a national communications program on demand response that includes broad-based customer education and support
- Development or identification of tools and materials for use by customers, States, utilities and demand response providers.
In this case, PLMA acted as the clearinghouse for several of our members’ responses to the FERC request. This allowed us to present a unified front, which is always more powerful than a collection of individual ones. We’re very pleased that so many of our members came forward with some very creative and constructive suggestions. Naturally, we’ll continue to vigorously support these kinds of initiatives going forward.
EET&D: Before we close, are there any other PLMA initiatives or activities you’d like to mention that anyone who might want to learn more about the Alliance and/or topics directly or indirectly related to demand response should be aware of?
Boardman: Yes, there is something new that I think would be of interest to anyone with a serious interest in DR. We are designing a basic training course in demand response that will be available to organizations either as an in-person seminar or as a series of webinars. Also, our website contains copies of the presentations from speakers at our past conferences. The site is searchable by keywords and is full of great information that anyone can access.
[Editor’s Note: Additional information about PLMA is available at www.peaklma.org or by calling the PLMA headquarters at 1-936-271-5020.]
Elliot Boardman is president of A.C.E. Management, Inc. (Magnolia, TX) and can be reached via email at eboardman@peaklma.org.
