Demand-side management projects are designed to reduce energy consumption at the consumer level while maintaining the same level of energy services as prior to project implementation. There are two types of DSM projects:

• Energy Efficiency (EE): focuses on modifications in end-use technology (e.g., lighting).

• Energy Conservation: focuses on changing energy consumption use patterns through educational projects and the use of time-of-day tariffs.

Many DSM projects involve a combination of both energy efficiency and energy conservation measures that can result in low- and no-cost climate change mitigation options. The level (and cost) of reduction is dependent on the source of electricity. If the electricity was generated by a fossil fuel (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas), then the reduced demand would translate into less generation and reduced GHG emissions.

However, the supply and corresponding emissions response is not always straightforward. Reduced electricity demand could cause a price adjustment and a "rebound effect"–where the reduced demand is offset by increased demand elsewhere on the system so there is no net change in generation or GHG emissions, or there is a realignment in the sources of generation, so that even with reduced electricity demand lower GHG emissions may not be realized. Quantifying the environmental impacts of EE/DSM actions should involve a detailed, system-specific analysis that recognizes the magnitude as well as the timing of the actions on the resultant electricity savings and generation capacity of the utility.

This section discusses some of the EE/DSM actions that are available to utilities and regulators to reduce GHG emissions. Estimates of the GHG emissions reduced or avoided by these actions are provided where available. But, since these actions are dependent on the mix of fuels/technologies used to generate the electricity being displaced, a more precise estimate of carbon emissions reduced/avoided requires site-specific details.

Some of the information sources used to prepare the discussion of EE/DSM actions, and in which more detailed discussions exist, are:

• International Directory of Energy Efficiency Institutions, World Energy Efficiency Association (WEEA). A searchable version is also available online at http://www.weea.org. The WEEA site also hosts the Energy Efficiency Technical Library and case studies of energy efficiency projects by country and region.
• The Centre for the Analysis and Dissemination of Demonstrated Energy Technologies (CADDET), based in the Netherlands, provides information (and case studies) on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies installed in industrialized nations. The CADDET site, http://www.caddet-ee.org/, includes copies of newsletters, announcements and events, and a publications catalog.
• The Impact of Global Power Sector Restructuring on Energy Efficiency, and accompanying Bibliography, Hagler-Bailly, prepared for USAID Office of Energy, Environment, and Technology, Reports No. 98-02 and 98-05 (1998). The Bibliography provides a detailed listing of authoritative resource documents and articles on energy efficiency, including the "Top 25 Key Reference Documents" and publication and distribution information.
• The International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC) posts several project summaries and other guidance documents at http://www.iiec.org.
• The Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) has a variety of programs promoting energy efficiency in buildings and industry, energy policy reform, education and outreach, and NGO development. Information on the Alliance's initiatives and publications are found at http://www.ase.org.
• The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) provides links to industry conferences, consumer information, and other websites, as well as information on ACEEE publications. http://www.aceee.org/index.html.
• The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners published Incentives for Demand-Side Management in October 1993. This report profiles U.S. state commission policies and activities encouraging utility investments in demand-side management resources, including a table that provides a quick summary of each State commission's DSM activities, with each type of shareholder incentive mechanism explained in the summary. This, and other documents can be found at the NARUC website, http://www.naruc.org.
• The International Energy Agency hosts a website dedicated to the compilation of summaries of demand-side management and energy efficiency efforts around the world. The site provides country by country information on electric power restructuring, existing mechanisms, and any issues affecting uptake or success of EE/DSM programs. http://dsm.iea.org.
• The U.S. EPA (Region 4) provides an energy efficiency action plan checklist for companies interested in improving their energy efficiency at: http://www.epa.gov/region04/air/cai/eea.htm.
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (LBNL) Energy and Environment Division has developed a number of energy efficient technologies, and technical support services. Information on these products and services is provided on the LBNL website at: http://eetd.lbl.gov/.