Flex Your Power Case Study: City of Colton

Colton developed an Electric Demand Reduction Program in the summer of 2001. Programs included replacing all traffic lights with LED lamps and a load curtailment program, which enabled the city to cut more than five MW, if necessary, in 15 minutes with minimal disruption of operations.

The objectives of the program were:
-assist lowincome customers,
-reduce energy use at city facilities and
-coordinate action between the city and its largest electric customers to implement emergency demand reduction/ load-shedding programs.

The programs were a success: low income customers reduced their energy costs by 26 percent on average; City Hall saved more than 10 percent by installing more efficient lighting and air-conditioning systems; and a load-curtailment program was developed that could cut more than 5 MW in 15 minutes.

The savings due to the Demand Reduction Program varied:
- 15 percent of customers saved 40-65 percent on their energy bill.
- 27 percent of customers saved 30-40 percent on their energy bill.
- 64 percent of customers saved 20-30 percent on their energy bill.
- City facilities saved more than 10 percent and had better lighting and air conditioning.
- Traffic signal lights used 1/15 less energy and lasted more than 10 times longer.