The control of the domestic load

After a brief review of the characteristics of the three principal components of the domestic thermal load, viz. electric cooking, water heating and space heating, the influence of intensive domestic electrification on the load factor of undertakings is investigated. As a result it is contended that with present methods of developing the domestic load the maximum attainable load factor of the latter eventually does not much exceed 30 per cent; that in the case of some undertakings attainment of this maximum has already been followed by deterioration: and that control of at least the water- and space-heating load, accompanied by intensified application of thermal storage, offers the only means of raising the load factor to the level necessary for sound development. A new method of centralized load control enables the demand of individual domestic installations to be limited to values that can be adjusted progressively in accordance with the system load. The share in plant capacity thus allocated to each controlled consumer can be made proportional to the amount paid as a fixed charge under a two-part tariff of conventional constitution. Finally, some recommendations as to future policy with regard to domestic electrification are put forward.