FAQs

Background information :: Read more :: FAQs

1. What is DSM?
2. What does the Residential Load Management mean / entail?
3. Why do we need this programme?
4. How does it work?
5. Will I still be able draw hot water from the geyser when it is switched off?
6. What are the advantages of remote-controlled relay system?
7. What does the Residential Load Management (RLM) team need from me?
8. How do I benefit?
9. How does the municipality benefit?
10. Who is responsible for the installation of the system?
11. What about security?
12. What happens if the system breaks down and who is responsible for maintenance?
13. How much is saved?
14. What is a megawatt
15. Does the tariff structure of the municipality influence the savings?

Question: What is DSM?

DSM stands for Demand Side Management, whereby Eskom tries to influence the way in which industrial, commercial and residential customers use electricity. The main aim is to help the consumers to manage their electricity consumption, particularly during peak periods, with cost savings for customers and the utility. The DSM programme mainly consists of energy efficiency and load management projects.

Question: What does the Residential Load Management mean / entail?

Residential Load Management forms part of the overall Demand Side Management strategy. It is aimed specifically at the residential sector, in other words, consumers at home. Geysers consume the most electricity in a household and they are therefore currently the focus of RLM. One of the programmes currently being implemented involves the connection of radio or/and ripple control units (or relays) to geysers, allowing them to be switched on and off by remote control.

Question: Why do we need this programme?

Eskom's residential customers consume around 17,5% of the total electricity generated, with their demand at peak periods amounting to over 30%. Helping residential customers to manage their electricity requirements better will have a significant impact on the overall demand for energy, while also achieving cost benefits for the consumer.

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Question: How does it work?

A small control unit (relay) is installed in the home of the customer. This unit will switch off the supply to the geyser during peak demand periods for a predetermined period. Groups of geysers and individual geysers will be controlled and monitored centrally from the local Municipal Energy Centre by means of a radio or/and ripple based communication system. The Centre will also take care of all customer queries.

Question: Will I still be able draw hot water from the geyser when it is switched off?

The load control system will switch off the power supply to the geyser only during peak periods. Even when the power has been switched off, the water stored in the geyser should be sufficiently hot to cater for normal water usage.

Question: What are the advantages of remote-controlled relay system?

The temperature of a geyser is normally controlled by a thermostat. The thermostat continually switches the heating element on and off depending on the amount of water that must be heated. The relay system switches the heating element off during times when the electricity consumption of the country is high. This will prevent the building of another power station, and will keep electricity prices affordable.

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Question: What does the Residential Load Management (RLM) team need from me?

Eskom's contractor will require access to each home in order to install the relay enclosures. This process will be properly co-ordinated with the RLM Customer Services representatives. Properly identified people will do the work. Please do not provide access to persons not in possession of authentic Eskom identification.

Question: How do I benefit?

The system will help to reduce the peak electrical load at times of maximum demand Expansion of the generation, transmission and distribution system networks will not be necessary in the short term. The need to operate costly hydro-electrical or gas plants to cater for these peak periods is eliminated Implementing the system will help to reduce tariff increases to a minimum.

Question: How does the municipality benefit?

If the municipality does not have to upgrade its electricity supply systems to accommodate higher consumption at peak periods, then the costs associated with these upgrades will not be passed onto the consumers. It will also lead to better management and optimisation of current infrastructure to improve service delivery to customers.

Question: Who is responsible for the installation of the system?

Eskom finances the capital and operational costs of the system with the costs being recovered by way of savings through network expansion and better utilization of generating capacity.

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Question: What about security?

Technicians authorised to carry out the installation of the control systems will be issued with appropriate identity cards; householders should demand that anybody claiming to be a technician working for or on behalf of Eskom should produce his or her card before entering the property.

Question: What happens if the system breaks down and who is responsible for maintenance?
If the relay should develop a fault, it will be the responsibility of the Municipality together with a preferred contractor (ESCO) to repair or replace it. The consumer will not have to bear the costs of repairs or replacement.

Question: How much is saved?

The customer does not save anything. The municipality saves by shifting the load from peak times to standard and /or off-peak times and so produces a lower electricity bill to the customer. The amount saved is between R150.00 and R190.00 per switch annually, on the Eskom MegaFlex tariff.

Question: What is a megawatt?

A megawatt (abbreviation - MW) is a unit of power equal to 1 million watts. A typical household geyser uses between 2 kW and 3 kW of power. In other words, if 500 geysers, each 2 kW, are on, they will consume 1 MW.

Question: Does the tariff structure of the municipality influence the savings?

Municipalities are requested to make sure which tariff is being charged by Eskom. There is a difference between NightSave (maximum demand tariff only) vs MegaFlex (more energy shifting and a little maximum demand).

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