SAN DIEGO, Jan. 17, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) last week issued requests for proposals (RFPs) from businesses whose technologies can help reduce peak electricity demand through permanent load shifting. The proposals should include technologies that would allow customers to move their energy use permanently from on-peak to off-peak periods during a five-year contract period. The goal is to have these new load-shifting technologies in place by summer 2007.
"Priority will be given to proposals that produce the greatest impact over five years," says Mark Gaines, director of customer programs for SDG&E. "With these technologies, our customers will reduce their electricity usage during summer afternoons, when demand is greatest, thus increasing system reliability and lowering energy costs."
An example of permanent load-shifting technology is replacing traditional electric chillers with natural gas-powered chillers to permanently reduce peak electric usage.
For more information about RFP criteria go to www.sdge.com/rfppls or email RFP-permanentloadshifting@semprautilities.com. Responses to questions and answers will be available to recipients on the SDG&E Web site Jan. 18, 2007. SDG&E will not accept questions or comments in any other form. Respondents are encouraged to check the RFP Web site for subsequent updates, notices and postings.
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.3 million electric meters and more than 825,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles. Exceptional customer service is a priority of SDG&E as it seeks to enhance the region's quality of life. SDG&E is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company.