Power: matching utility output to customer demand: load management includes the design of energy-supply facilities to meet customer load, plus the control of a utility's "load shape"

In recent years, the power industry in the U.S. has experienced dramatic changes in the fundamental forces that govern the costs of meeting increasing electric power requirements. Because of these forces, the increased capital costs of system expansion - plus higher operational costs - have raised the bills of power consumers. Thus, the electric utility industry is now examining a range of proposals relating to the subject of "load management." Although these proposals differ widely in their scope and complexity, they are generally intended to control or shift the peak electric demand in order, possibly, to reduce fuel requirements and to reduce the need for system expansion.