Load management using radio teleswitches within NIE

Northern Ireland Electricity has implemented direct load control of storage and water heating using radio teleswitches. This has been successful as it has been possible to co-ordinate load management with control of generation. It has necessitated changes in tariffs and working practices. The author outlines the innovative approaches taken to the opportunities of the new technology without ignoring the practical difficulties encountered. The author shows that new technology should be taken advantage of when there are real benefits to be achieved. The importance of co-ordinating such a project across a power utility are outlined. The potential for future work is also discussed