This Is Great, But ...
In this press release titled "LADWP Funds Innovative Energy Efficient Technology Ideas", the Los Angeles municipal utility announced an initiative to fund innovative energy-efficiency technologies that will particularly reduce peak-load demand. You know, if you just allow for market-based real-time pricing, even just for large industrial users, LADWP wouldn't have to spend $750,000 on this program -- innovative companies would come out of the woodwork and seize the marketing opportunities! Grrrrrr ... why is demand responsiveness so culturally difficult for utilities? Why don't they see the opportunities to earn more money by selling less power? (NOTE: I have to credit Vernon Smith for that last sentence, it's his phrase) I am actually writing a paper in which I try to answer my own questions, so I welcome any suggestions.