Constructing Effective Demand Response Programs in NH’s Electric Market

Under ISO New England, electric market players in New Hampshire began participating in various demand response (DR) programs since 2001. While DR programs can be utilized to improve market efficiency, cut down electricity prices and encourage energy-saving behavior, they have been prone to excessive market manipulations due to the lack of adequate oversight structures.[1] Therefore, the benefits from DR have not been fully realized in New Hampshire. The research team is leveraging internship experience at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to investigate the current state of DR programs in NH. Then they will work with various stakeholders and use market data to construct ways of improving DR structures and revising the oversight schemes for the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (NHPUC). At the same time, the team will explore ways through which Dartmouth can potentially participate in DR programs and cut operating costs in the long-run. All in all, the research team is pursuing a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating econometric analysis and public policy implementation to promote efficient energy usage.