Load Management Program

Helping Your Wallet  

The load management program helps balance the demand for electricity with the availability of generation, and the ability to economically purchase electricity. Dairyland and its member cooperatives like JREC save money by reducing the need to purchase expensive power during periods of high electricity demand. These savings are passed on to members through special incentives and stable rates.

Helping The Planet 

This program puts energy conservation to work through active management of residential, agricultural, and commercial and industrial loads. This can improve grid sustainability by better aligning electricity needs to the availability of intermittent renewable resources, such as wind and solar. Additionally, system-wide peak demands are reduced, which reduces the overall need for generation infrastructure.

Dairyland Power Cooperative, JREC's wholesale power provider, estimates activating the load management system can reduce demand for electricity by approximately 80 megawatts (MW) in the summer and 140 MW in the winter - the equivalent size of a small power plant. Our members can provide additional help on hot, summer days by voluntarily shifting any flexible use of electric appliances and electronics to earlier or later in the day (before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.) to reduce peak energy use. 

How Does It Work?

Load management can involve interrupting water heaters or electric heat for short periods of time, and managing when irrigation pumps, electrical vehicle chargers, or grain drying systems run. Commercial and industrial facilities may use generators or simply reduce load for a special rate. 

JREC offers both a Water Heater and Dual Fuel load management program. The dual fuel program allows members to take advantage of lower cost electricity for home heating. Whether you are building a new home or upgrading your current heating and/or air-conditioning systems (HVAC), we can help you save money when you join our Water Heater and Dual Fuel Programs.  You may also qualify for incentives/rebates through our Energy Sense Rebate rebate program.

Find out if your electric heat or water heater on the load management program is being controlled by clicking on the correct icon below.