Back to PLMA

Our Mission

Utility Load Management Exchange's (ULME's) mission is to promote load control as a viable option for utility deployments in demand reduction, economic dispatch, and/or T&D reliability through a forum for utility staff members to share information on program design, marketing, vendor management, benefit-costs and technology deployments.

Background

ULME is a gathering of utility representatives interested in open and frank industry discussions, opportunities to share real-world lessons learned, and the change to discuss what works and what doesn't in a private setting.

Originally formed as the Advanced Load Control Alliance (ALCA), the group has been meeting twice a year since 2003, and adopted its current name, the Utility Load Management Exchange (ULME), in 2015 to reflect the need for utilities to to offer support to one another in managing their distributed energy resources. At that time, ULME determined the need to create a more structured form of governance which resulted in the an elected Steering Committee.

As of 2021, ULME remains an informally organized utilities-only group without member dues or revenue. ULME's meetings and web presence are supported through an agreement with PLMA (Peak Load Management Alliance).

ULME's Steering Committee is elected in staggered three‑year terms with one member of the committee being elected annually. The committee selects its Chair to follow for the coming year following each election. A new Steering Committee is elected annually at ULME's Fall Meeting, and then serves for a three-year term without term limits. 

Steering Committee Responsibilities

The Steering Committee will meet as needed to perform its duties via conference call monthly and at other times as deemed necessary. Steering Committee Members must remain an employee of an ULME participating organization, and expect to participate in a majority of the monthly calls and other in-person meetings with no travel reimbursement or stipend from ULME. The next election is anticipated in August 2024.

The general responsibilities of the Steering Committee include providing strategic leadership and vision with tactical support in the operation of the group consistent with the group's direction. In general that has and will continue to include:

• aiding in meeting planning
• meeting agenda development
• utility representative recruitment
• oversight of online utility representative activities and forums
• development of logo and branding materials
• actively participating in ULME activities through attendance and sponsorship, whenever possible.

Click Here For the November 8-9 Fall 2023 ULME Meeting Recap

Meet Your 2024 ULME Steering Committee

Mike Smith, Chair National Grid (2022-2024)

Michelle Lynch Hoosier Energy (2024-2026)

Aaron Kendall PG&E (2023-2025)

Lee Hamilton Xcel Energy (2023-2025)