This study was concerned with "peaking", which is the tendency for electrical-energy users to consume at high rates for brief periods during the day. Peaking results in the inefficient use of generating facilities, which may lead to unfavorable effects on the environment, such as the construction of new energy producing facilities or the activation of older, less safe, generating units. A continuous data collection system to monitor consumption of electrical energy was installed in the homes of three volunteer families. Information, feedback, and incentives were evaluated for their effects on peak energy consumption. A combination of feedback plus incentives was most effective and reduced peaking about 50%. Removal of experimental treatments resulted in a return to pretreatment patterns of consumption. DESCRIPTORS: energy conservation, electrical energy conservation, peakingThe shape of the demand curve for energy over each 24-hr day for residential consumers contributes, in part, to the electrical-energy crisis. In the morning and afternoon, energy consumption peaks at more than three times the daily average (Seattle City Light, 1973). In the Seattle area, where residential consumption accounts for 40% of the total, the morning peak begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 1:00 p.m.; the afternoon peak occurs between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Although most electrical energy is consumed by industrial and commercial users, the peaking problem is most pronounced in residential consumers (Seattle City Light, 1973). When the nature of the electrical-energy supply is considered, these peaks have ramifications relevant to the energy crisis and the quality of the environment.Electrical energy must be produced at the precise moment it is needed. It is not generated at one time and stored for later use. The supplier for such energy must therefore design and build 1This research was conducted in collaboration with Seattle City Light. Reprints may be obtained from Robert Kohlenberg, Psychological Services and Training Center (NI-15), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195. a facility that can meet maximum demand, however short in duration that demand might be. Since there are peaks in demand, generating facilities are used at full capacity for only brief periods of time. Much of the time, some generating facilities are not used. Thus, the increased need for electrical-energy generating facilities is a function of increased demand and of the temporal patterning of that demand.In areas where fossil-fuel energy sources are used, peaking necessitates construction of new plants and consequent environmental impact. Demand peaks also result in activation of older, less efficient, and less environmentally safe facilities. In the Seattle area, where hydroelectric energy sources are used, peaking adds to the requirement for construction and raising of dams and, at times, the activation of older fossil-fuel facilities. At present, a local controversy surrounds the utilities' plan to raise a dam and consequently flood some 8000 acres of ...

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THE STUDY which is here tal ability, as indicated by the psychologireported has sought to throw light on cal tests, their ambitions, as indicated by certain questions in the field of guidance. the vocations which they thought they The beginnings of the study and the re-would like to enter at the time the study sults of the first five years of follow-up was initiated, and their economic or sowere reported in a cial status as repremonograph' in 1923.sented by their fathers' T h e thirteenth year Does a son tend enter his occupations. T h e check-up, in the main, futbds occu~ution3-zs psychological test used was the Army Alpha, uny connection between the sods supports the findings Of Z.Q. and the futher's occupathe original study, but tied runk?-whut the rela-which was applied durcause all the individuals Professed occupational 1917-18. Its use was concerned had had an tions, intelligence, length of specially authorized by opportunity for from schooling, sociul und economic the Psychological Difive to twelve years after status to subsequent occupational vision of the U. S. completing their schoolachievement? The occompunYing Army Sanitary C o r p s , Proctor of 1,600 high-school first group intelligence pupils, thirteen years after test-' Proctor, William Martin. Psychologird Test3 and Guidance of High School Students. Blooming-7is worth reporting betionships Of high-scbool ppi& ing the school year ing to engage in voca-follow-up Professor and was therefore the This was not the ton, Ill., Public School Publishing Co., 1923. op. Ut., pp. 120-123.

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