Illinois Higher Education Embraces Demand Response, Chooses EnergyConnect
- Members of the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities increase energy savings and earnings potential using EnergyConnect’s unique GridConnect platform -
EnergyConnect (OTCBB: ECNG - News) signed an agreement with the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities to provide demand response services for the organization’s member campuses. Using its award-winning GridConnect™ integrated demand response platform, EnergyConnect will work with these individual academic institutions to develop user-friendly electricity curtailment strategies and enhance participation in demand response programs across the PJM Interconnection service area.
“We believe strongly in the value of protecting the environment by promoting more sustainable approaches to energy usage. As an advocacy organization, we are constantly seeking ways to help our member institutions provide the most ideal learning and working environments,” said David W. Tretter, President of the Federation. “Our alliance with EnergyConnect now allows participating schools to be smarter about their energy use and to develop customized strategies that will not only save money but also reduce overall energy consumption on their campuses.”
With a membership base spanning all regions across the state, the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities is a unified voice that represents public policy interests on behalf of the independent sector of higher education in Illinois. EnergyConnect will provide participating schools with electricity-monitoring equipment, enabling the flow of real-time usage data through the company’s unique and multifunctional GridConnect platform. Campuses in the Commonwealth Edison service area will be able to participate in PJM’s emergency, price responsive and energy efficiency programs as well as better manage their energy usage, earn valuable payments and reduce their carbon footprint.
“Colleges and universities have long prioritized energy efficiency and cost saving measures, so it is logical and encouraging to see the rapid adoption of our services among academic institutions,” said Kevin R. Evans, president and CEO of EnergyConnect. “As more and more schools recognize the significant positive impact of demand response, we look forward to partnering with the Federation to enable campuses across Illinois to save energy and contribute to a more reliable, stable energy grid.”
EnergyConnect’s web-based portal, GridConnect, provides a powerful dashboard that allows customers to make informed energy management decisions based on real-time information and market pricing. Active participation earns users valuable payments that can be used to fund other necessary resources, such as facility upgrades and energy efficiency projects. Beyond traditional event-based capacity programs, GridConnect subscribers gain easy access to an integrated suite of demand response and energy management tools including the FlexConnect™ price-responsive demand software.
EnergyConnect currently has more than 50 college and university campuses under contract. The company recently expanded its presence on the West coast by signing a multi-year partnership agreement with the California State University, the largest public university system in the US. The Federation deal follows in the footsteps of a similar agreement with the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania. Since that partnership was initiated in 2007, EnergyConnect has enrolled more than 25 colleges in Pennsylvania.
The deadline to ensure successful registration into PJM’s 2011 Interruptible Load for Reliability (ILR) program is March 15. To learn more, visit http://www.energyconnectinc.com/ilr2011/
About EnergyConnect
EnergyConnect delivers industry leading Demand Response technologies and services to commercial, institutional and industrial consumers, enabling them to manage their use of electricity in response to market prices or regional power shortages. EnergyConnect’s GridConnect technology platform provides a scalable, cost-effective, clean technology to enhance the grid’s efficiency and reliability. For more information about this leading edge technology or about investor relations, visit http://www.energyconnectinc.com.
For More Information:
Rich Quattrini
408-340-7940
rquattrini@energyconnectinc.com