Power/energy: Demand-side load management: The rising cost of peak-demand power means that utilities must encourage customers to manage power usage

As electricity cost increases, more and more utilities are extending their activities into once-forbidden territory: the customer's side of the meter. In order to increase efficiency and hold the line on costs, they are controlling, directly and indirectly, when and how the electric energy is used - shifting from a supply-side-only viewpoint to demand-side technologies. They are including the customer as a new utility corporate planning option.