On Wed, 15 Aug 2012 22:23:48 -0400, "
wrote:




Shifting the draw by ten minutes will make an effect if there are tens
of thousands of units controlled centrally. In such a situation,
staggering compressor draw will serve to even out the load across both a
local, as well as a larger area. Since the grid is already pushed
pretty far into its capacity, this helps to alleviate brownout
conditions, which, from my understanding, is the rationale behind their
scheme.

Sure, you push the load back ten minutes. Now what?

I imagine they do that in blocks and each gets a ten minute segment.
Peak load is usually between about noon and 5 PM so it would be a
juggle during that period. Once factories go off line about 4 and
offices close at 5, no need to juggle.

Of course, all any of us are doing is guessing. It would be
interesting to see the real method and results.