The energy management unit project-domestic customer response to a multi-rate tariff

The energy management unit (EMU) project was carried out during 1989 and 1990. It involved 500 UK domestic customers in five regional electricity companies (RECs, formerly area boards), with project co-ordination and data analysis handled by the Electricity Association. The major objectives of the project were to test the field performance of a multi-rate watthour meter and an associated customer display unit (CDU); to assess customer attitudes to experimental multi-rate tariffs; and to quantify the changes in customer's electricity consumption and load shape arising from the messages in the experimental tariffs. The authors concentrate on the commercial aspects of the project. >