Load Management Status Report

- Residential Accounts
- Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Accounts
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) has been extremely committed to energy conservation through its load management program for over 20 years, a program carried out in conjunction with our power supplier, Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC).

What is load management?

Load management is a tool used to balance electrical supply and demand by shifting the time of use. 

What are the benefits of load management?

The load management program helps manage the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity more effectively and efficiently.  Load management also enhances reliability for all members during peak periods, and helps PPCS manage its energy costs.  Load management is accomplished with little or no inconvenience to our members.

How is load management accomplished?

Electric Water Heater Load Management.  All electric water heaters are intended to operate under PPCS’ load management program.  Electric water heaters are subject to a maximum of 4 hours of interruption in a 10-hour period.  Load management of electric water heaters can occur at anytime, although they are typically interrupted between 6-10 a.m. and 5-9 p.m.  Electric water heater load management does not occur every day.

PPCS provides service on electric water heaters.  The member will be charged the current service call rate, with parts sold at cost if the water heater is connected to PPCS’ load management system. 

Wiring Diagram
Please refer to the wiring diagram which illustrates the correct installation of the current transformer (CT) sub-metering of off-peak electric.  PPCS Wiring Diagram

Off-Peak Electric Heating

PPCS offers a reduced electric rate for off-peak electric heating.  The reduced rate is offered in exchange for the electric heating to be subject to load management during peak load times, typically during periods of extreme cold weather.  Other electric loads such as electric water heating may also be on this off-peak rate if some form of electric heating is being used.

What is a load management receiver?

The load management receiver is a small radio receiver that is connected to the electric water heater circuit or the off-peak electric heating equipment.  During times of peak load, the receiver picks up a radio signal to interrupt power to the electric water heater, the electric heating equipment and/or the central air conditioning unit.

The lights in the small window of the load management receiver indicate how the receiver is functioning.

• Green Light.  The green test light will be on most of the time.  This light indicates there is a proper power supply and radio signal to the receiver. 

• Red Light.  The electric water heater is being interrupted.

• Upper Left Red/Lower Left Amber.  If you are a participant in PPCS’ dual-fuel program, a red light in the upper left corner or amber light in the lower left corner will appear in the receiver window when your electric heat is being interrupted.  Absence of an amber or red light indicates normal operation of your electric heat.  Another sign that load management has been initiated is that your backup source of heat will be operating.

• Cold Load Pickup.  When power is restored after an outage, all load management receivers go into a 7-10 minute shutdown mode and all lights will be on.  Following this phase, your system should again be operating normally.

Thank you for participating in PPCS’ load management program.  If you have any questions, please contact PPCS at 715-273-4355, 800-924-2133 or info@piercepepin.com.

  - Residential Accounts
  - Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Accounts

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