Working on my first correctional facility and the load profile is unlike anything I've seen. It's basically flat 24/7 with very little variation between day and night or weekday and weekend. They're on Ameren's time-of-use rate but getting almost no benefit because they can't shift load. Anyone know if there are special institutional rates for facilities that can't control their usage patterns?
Prison facility 24/7 load profiles
Thomas, that flat profile is typical for 24/7 facilities like prisons, hospitals, and some manufacturing. The problem is most utilities design rates assuming customers can shift load, which obviously doesn't work for essential services. Some states have 'institutional' or 'essential service' rates but they're not common. Might be worth asking Ameren about a straight general service rate instead of TOU.
Yvonne makes a good point about rate design assumptions. Correctional facilities also often have unique security requirements that affect energy usage - lighting that can't be dimmed, ventilation that runs constantly, etc. These operational constraints should be documented when requesting rate changes. Government facilities sometimes get more consideration for these kinds of issues, especially if safety and security are involved.