2021 Delaware Code
Title 26 - Public Utilities
Chapter 15. Energy Efficiency Resource Standards
§ 1501. Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter:
(1) “Affected electric energy provider” means an electric distribution company, rural electric cooperative, or municipal electric company serving energy customers in Delaware.
(2) “Affected energy provider” means an affected electric energy provider or affected natural gas distribution company.
(3) “Affected natural gas distribution company” means a natural gas distribution company serving energy customers in Delaware.
(4) “Coincident peak demand” means for each affected electric energy provider the highest level of electricity demand for such affected electric energy provider.
(5) “Combined heat and power” means a system that uses the same energy source both for the generation of electrical or mechanical power and the production of steam or another form of useful thermal energy.
(6) “Combined heat and power system savings” means the electric output, and the electricity saved due to the mechanical output, of a combined heat and power system, adjusted to reflect any increase in fuel consumption by that system as compared to the fuel that would have been required to produce an equivalent useful thermal energy output in a separate thermal-only system, as determined in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary.
(7) “DEC” has the same definition set forth in § 1001 of this title.
(8) “Demand-side management” has the same definition set forth in § 1001 of this title.
(9) “DEO” means the State Energy Office established in § 8053 of Title 29.
(10) “DNREC” has the same definition set forth in § 352 of this title.
(11) “DP&L” has the same definition set forth in § 1001 of this title.
(12) “EERS” means Energy Efficiency Resource Standards.
(13) “EERU” or “Energy Efficiency Resource Unit” means 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity demand reduction relating to demand side management programs, 1 kilowatt of electricity demand response, or 1 decatherm of reduced natural gas consumption, or an equivalent energy efficiency measure.
(14) “Electric distribution company” has the same definition set forth in § 1001 of this title.
(15) “Electricity consumption” and “electricity consumed” means, for any affected electric energy provider, the sum of retail electricity deliveries to all energy customers within the electric distribution system.
(16) “Electricity demand response” means a reduction in the use of electricity by electricity energy customers in response to power grid needs, economic signals from a competitive wholesale market or special retail rates.
(17) “Energy customer” means a natural person or public or private entity that receives electric distribution service from an affected energy provider.
(18) “Energy efficiency” means either a decrease in consumption of electric energy or natural gas or a decrease in consumption of electric energy or natural gas on a per unit of production basis or equivalent energy efficiency measures that do not cause a reduction in the quality or level of service provided to the energy customer achieved through measures or programs that target consumer behavior, or replace or improve the performance of equipment, processes, or devices. Energy efficiency can also mean the reduction in transmission and distribution losses associated with the design and operation of the electrical system.
(19) “Energy efficiency charge” has the meaning given in § 1505 of this title.
(20) “Energy savings” means:
a. Reduction in electricity consumption;
b. Reduction in natural gas consumption;
c. Electricity coincident peak demand response capability; or
d. Equivalent energy efficiency measures, in Delaware from a base year of 2007, calculated on a calendar year basis.
(21) “Equivalent energy efficiency measure” means reductions in the use of fossil fuel other than natural gas or use of other sources of energy not derived from fossil fuel equivalent to a reduction in natural gas consumption or electricity consumption, as defined by the Secretary by regulations pursuant to § 1504 of this title.
(22) “Municipal electric company” has the same definition set forth in § 352 of this title.
(23) “Natural gas consumption” and “natural gas consumed” means, for any affected natural gas provider, the sum of retail natural gas deliveries in Delaware.
(24) “Natural gas distribution company” means a public utility owning and/or operating natural gas distribution facilities in the State.
(25) “Recycled energy savings” means a reduction in electricity or natural gas consumption that results from a modification of an industrial or commercial system that commenced operation before July 29, 2009, in order to make productive use of electrical, mechanical, or thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted, as determined in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary.
(26) “Rural electric cooperative” has the same definition set forth in § 352 of this title.
(27) “Secretary” means the Secretary of DNREC.
(28) “State Energy Coordinator” is the administrator and head of the State Energy Office as established in § 8053 of Title 29.
(29) “Sustainable Energy Utility” or “SEU” have the same meaning as set forth in § 8059 of Title 29.