The use of GIS to enhance the Visualization of Demand-Side Management

In this book the impact of using GIS as a visualization tool in Demand-Response roll-out monitoring and management was explored. This was in order to establish whether GIS could assist in the identification of project rolled out areas, make peak-load analyses easier and more efficient, as well as offer possible solutions for any gaps identified during roll out. A pilot project created to produce a visualization and spatial-intelligence platform was selected. It was based on a spatially enabled customer database that could be used to identify future roll-out areas for demand-response solutions. South Africa as a country was in the middle of a massive energy crisis that threatened to plunge the nation into a complete black-out; and since the construction of power-stations took more than a decade, immediate measures needed to be taken. The biggest South African energy utility at the time, Eskom, carried out an investigation into possible ways to immediately alleviate pressure on the grid; and they opted for Demand Side Management (DSM) to alleviate the grid. They encouraged consumers to switch off their power-draining appliances especially during peak times to save energy.