Walt D from Pittsburgh, PA. Duquesne Light territory. Wanted to flag something for newer auditors. When you submit your LOA data request, if you just ask for billing history you will get monthly billing summaries — total kWh, total demand, total charges. That is useful but not sufficient for a thorough demand charge or TOU audit. You need to specifically request 15-minute interval data (also called load profile data or demand interval data). Most utilities have this data for every commercial meter with a demand register but they will not include it in a standard billing history request. You have to ask for it by name.
How to specifically request interval data — most utilities will not give it unless you ask
Walt, this is one of the most important data collection tips on this forum. The interval data is where the serious audit findings live. Without it you cannot verify demand billing accuracy, check TOU period allocations, analyze power factor, or identify operational issues that are driving up costs. Always request it explicitly.
To add specificity: the exact language I use in my LOA data request is please provide 15-minute interval demand data in kW and kVAR for the most recent 36 months in electronic format, preferably CSV or Excel. The kVAR request is important for power factor analysis. The electronic format specification prevents them from sending you a 500-page paper printout of interval readings which some utilities have actually done to me.
In ComEd territory the interval data is called Green Button data. You can download it directly from the ComEd commercial portal in CSV format. No special request needed — just LOA access to the portal. Other utilities in the PJM territory use different names: Duquesne calls it load profile, PECO calls it interval usage data, PPL calls it meter data. Same thing, different labels.
Yuri, the naming inconsistency is a real problem for new auditors. If you call Duquesne and ask for interval data they might say they do not have that. If you ask for load profile data they will send it immediately. Knowing the utility-specific terminology speeds up the request process.
One more tip: some utilities will provide interval data through their online portal but limit it to 12 months. For older data you have to make a separate written request citing the relevant state PUC regulation. In most PJM states, the utility is required to retain and provide at least 24 months of interval data upon customer request. Knowing the regulation and citing it in your request prevents the utility from claiming they only keep 12 months.
Great thread. Summary: always request interval data by name using the utility-specific terminology, specify electronic format, request kW and kVAR, ask for 36 months minimum, and cite the applicable PUC regulation if the utility pushes back. This data is the foundation of every serious demand charge and TOU audit.