Energy-Efficiency Funds and Demand Response Programs, South Carolina

Updated September 2008

Below you will find questions and answers regarding South Carolina's utility energy efficiency programs, including options for load management, demand response, and distributed energy resources, and information about state-sponsored energy efficiency programs.

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What public-purpose-funded energy efficiency programs are available in my state?

South Carolina has no public-purpose-funded energy efficiency programs.

What utility energy efficiency programs are available to me?

No utility energy efficiency programs are currently available to federal customers.

What load management/demand response options are available to me?

Duke Energy offers its large commercial customers the On-Site Generation Service Program (PDF 48 KB) program, which targets customers that do not currently own back-up generation but would like to. Duke will install, own, and operate new generators (300 kW or larger) for participants willing to let the company use them in times of grid stress or high wholesale prices. There is a monthly service fee for this rate based on the levelized cost to own and operate the equipment.

Real time pricing is available to Duke Energy's large customers through its SC Hourly Pricing for Incremental Load (PDF 60 KB) rate schedule. Customers are notified of the hourly energy prices for the following day. Participants are alternatively credited or charged, based on the hourly price, for usage below or above a pre-determined customer baseline load profile.

Progress Energy (Carolina Power & Light) provides a real-time pricing tarriff (PDF 106 KB), available for large customers (1,000 kW). Participants are notified, a day in advance, of the hourly energy prices for the following day, and are charged or credited at these rates for any usage above or below a "customer baseline load" (CBL) that is based on their historical use.

Progress also offers two curtailable riders for customers that can shed load upon request. These rate riders offer favorable terms for general-use electricity in exchange for dedicated load that can be reduced at the company's request.

What distributed energy resource options are available to me?

The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) provides information on programs that offer incentives for renewable distributed generation. The following programs may be of interest to federal customers.

The Biomass Energy Production Incentive (PDF 144 KB) provides a $0.01/kWh state tax credit, up to $100,000 per year, to generators of electricity from biomass (including landfill gas and biodigester). The federal government is not a tax payer, but federal facilities whose on-site plants are developed and owned by private contractors may be able to benefit from this program.
The Renewable Energy Grant Program, administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and others, offers up to $200,000 for 50% matched demonstration projects using biomass.

Are there energy efficiency programs sponsored by state government?

The South Carolina Energy Office offers a variety of energy efficiency programs, but none are currently available to federal facilities.

What additional opportunities are available to me?

Federal customers also have energy efficiency opportunities available with utilities (e.g., Carolina Power & Light, South Carolina Electric & Gas, and Duke Energy) that have area-wide contracts with GSA and, by extension, all other federal agencies. Federal facilities should contact their account executive to determine the level of participation by their local utility.