EnergyConnect Customers Exceed 2009 Event-Based Load Response Expectations
Congratulations and thank you to the hundreds of organizations successfully participating in EnergyConnect’s event-based reduction programs this summer. With energy use at reduced levels, none of the EnergyConnect programs were called on this year. Nonetheless, your commitment for being on standby to reduce load is a significant service to the power grid.
With the 2009 season behind us, plan now for energy cost mitigation in 2010. With less than a month left in 2009, EnergyConnect is actively enrolling electricity consumers for 2010 programs in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest and California regions. Whether you are on the east or west coast, it is now time to renew your commitment for next year.
Last year alone, over 250 facilities in the PJM market area enrolled in EnergyConnect’s program which pays large energy users to standby to cut back power in the event of a grid emergency. In tests conducted by PJM, our customers performed significantly beyond the committed load reduction to the grid. The certified demand response capacity from the EnergyConnect customer base was more than 200% over 2008 levels. In total, the combined load drop was enough to offset the generation output from a large coal plant or several natural gas peaking plants.
In California, we’ve had another successful year of participation in our utility programs. With more than 200 service accounts enrolled, over 90% of our customer base exceeded their load drop commitments for 2009. All in all, an overwhelming response from our reliable customer base.
As the US considers comprehensive energy and climate legislation, the importance of demand response is underscored. A recent discussion draft by FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) outlines requirements for a National Action Plan for Demand Response. The action plan seeks to identify requirements to allow States to maximize the amount of demand response resources and to design a national communication program that includes broad-based customer education and support.
“More efficient use of our existing electricity resources is putting money back in customers’ pockets while offsetting the need to turn to costly peaking plants to meet demand,” said Kevin Evans, EnergyConnect’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that FERC’s commitment to a national action plan, combined with the strong 2009 performance demonstrated by our growing customer base will continue to drive participation in demand response offerings and position EnergyConnect for further success in the coming year.”
In addition to event-based demand response programs, EnergyConnect offers flexible programs which pay organizations who elect to reduce electrical consumption in times of peak demand indicated by high wholesale market pricing. Our award-winning FlexConnect platform allows you to quickly evaluate when to engage in demand response through an easy-to-use, intuitive web interface.
The annual enrollment period for the 2010 EventConnect ILR in the PJM region is open only for a short period once a year. Enroll now to guarantee seamless registration in time for next year’s season. For California programs, enrollment is ongoing and the sooner you register, the sooner you start earning. To learn more and register as a demand response resource, please call 866.488.7642 or visit one of the web links:
PJM Area (mid-Atlantic and mid-West): www.energyconnectinc.com/ilr
Northern California: www.energyconnectinc.com/pge/
Southern California: www.energyconnectinc.com/sce/
Posted on Monday, December 7th, 2009 - BlogConnect