Abstract

An energy management method for controlling electrical power consumption in each of a plurality of residential circuits having a plurality of loads. Each residential circuit is provided with a variable limit demand controller which includes means for receiving utility-generated demand limit signals from a remote location. A demand limit is established for each of the residential circuits which is independent of which of the specific loads in the circuit are responsible for the demand. Signals are generated by the utility from a remote location to vary the limit proportionately in all of the residential circuits.In a preferred embodiment, in which the loads in each of the circuits include both resistive and reactive loads, each circuit is provided with separate variable limit demand controllers for the resistive loads and for the reactive loads. Separate demand limits are established for each of the residential circuits and utility-generated signals are sent from a remote location to each of the demand controllers to vary the resistive and reactive limits proportionately in all of the residential circuits. The resistive and reactive demand limits are adjustably varied to improve the power factor of the load on the utility power-generating facilities.