Many experts offer a few general guidelines.
It's critical that utilities gather data on many aspects of how they use power, including detailed load profiles, energy efficiency, data about power use by specific processes, and whether there are opportunities to alter how and when power is needed. It may be feasible to modify the operations of a water treatment plant so that more processes are performed at night, thus shifting energy needs to times when demands and prices are low. A strategy which is often proposed for utilities to reap the greatest benefits from deregulation is to aggregate loads. Aggregation is simply a strategy in which groups of customers increase their influence and buying power by joining other power purchasers with complimentary load profiles or metering capabilities. An aggregation can consist of as little as two members or large groups of users within the same industry or geographic area.