What is Load Management?

Load Management is a utility's solution to decreasing high load demand on its electrical system. Oconto Electric Cooperative has the ability to watch the demand on each substation in its service territory. If the demand is peaking or extremely high, the cooperative needs to curtail or "shed" load. This "shedding" of load is accomplished in two ways - by temporarily controlling, or shutting off, electric loads using a Load Management Receiver (LMR) or using a special electric rate that encourages off-peak usage of electricity.

Load Management Receiver

A Load Management Receiver or LMR, is a radio-controlled device that will be installed directly on your water heater or the breaker panel serving the electric heat application. An OEC technician will complete this installation. OEC can send signals to the "address" of a LMR on a rolling strategy basis. This means certain LMR addresses will be controlled for a period of two to four hours. Those particular LMRs will then be put back on-line and different addresses will be selected for control. The control period may happen anytime between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. Please keep in mind that OEC will not control on a daily basis. Control periods are performed on an "as needed" basis or when load needs to be "shed".

Oconto Electric's Dual Fuel and Thermal Storage rate is available for electric heat applications that can be controlled using a Load Management Receiver.