Energy solutions provider CPower Energy Management announced four new demand response programs across the U.S., as the summer season kicks off. Demand response pays energy users to reduce energy load during peak usage. CPower already manages more than 5.3 GW of distributed energy resource (DER) capacity across the U.S., connecting the assets of around 2,000 customers at more than 12,000 sites by forming virtual power plants that meet the grid’s real-time supply needs, the company said in a press release.
The new demand response solutions announced by CPower today include:
- Demand Response Auction Mechanism (DRAM) for Pacific Gas & Electric Customers: Commercial and industrial (C&I) organizations who want to manage event frequency will be provided a day-ahead notification to participate in the DRAM program.
- Resource Adequacy (RA) for Southern California Edison Customers: With day-ahead notifications, C&I customers can receive premium pricing and take advantage of the customer-focused program design.
- Demand Response Initiative (DRI) in Maine: DRI is available to municipal, higher education, healthcare, manufacturing, and commercial real estate industries with interval meters. DRI provides a day-ahead notice with 3-6 calls per season, typically from 4 pm until 7 pm ET.
- Non-Spinning Reserves in ERCOT: Available to C&I organizations that are currently connected to the system and can curtail load within 30-minutes of a test/event notification. Unlike other solutions, there is no under-frequency relay requirement, meaning their organization’s power cannot be completely shut off. As one of the most profitable programs offered, it is also one of the most flexible.
“As operators around the country experience capacity shortfalls, distributed energy resources can fill that gap by tapping the embedded capacity within the grid,” said Glenn Bogarde, senior vice president – Sales, CPower.
Working with grid operators and utilities across the country, CPower said it offers 59 local energy solutions to deliver power to the grid when it is needed most. The company also recently announced its expansion across Illinois and MISO with a new demand response solution for Ameren Illinois customers.
