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The National Action Plan Coalition (NAPC) has taken a different approach in its new case study on the smart grid and demand response (DR). Rather than interpreting a horde of numbers, the coalition mined the recently-completed PowerCentsDC smart meter and DR pilot program in the District of Columbia for what it says smart grid practitioners, policy makers and other stakeholders really want: current information on best practices and the lessons to be learned from the project.

NAPC, formed last year to support implementation of the National Action Plan on Demand Response and Smart Grid, is a "coalition of coalitions" made up of representatives from utilities, the smart grid sector, regulatory, energy efficiency and environmental groups.

PowerCentsDC, the pilot program used as the basis for the NAPC study, involved about 1,200 customers in Pepco's D.C. service area who were given smart meters, one of three innovative electricity pricing options and in-home displays and online energy consumption and conservation information through eMeter's Energy Engage software. The highly regarded pilot included a lot of stakeholder cooperation and involvement and comprehensive customer support and involvement from the beginning.

The National Action Plan, issued by the Energy Department and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in mid-2010, is intended to promote better design and implementation and more support for demand technologies.

The study, PowerCentsDC: A Model for Stakeholder Collaboration, is available at the Demand Response Coordinating Committee Web site.

Quick Take: We have previously saluted the PowerCentsDC pilot as a model to study. We're pleased that the National Action Plan Coalition agrees. – Jesse Berst

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