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FARMINGTON, CT – ConnectiCare will participate in a
program that will help alleviate potential brownouts and blackouts to
the region's overburdened electrical power grid. The program is coordinated
by EnerNOC, a demand response solutions company, with funding approved by
the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC).
ConnectiCare currently has emergency backup generators to serve all key
buildings and services. When the region's electric power grid is close
to overload or in a power blackout, all of ConnectiCare's key departments
will continue to operate by switching to generator power. This action will
instantly reduce the amount of demand on the electric power grid and by doing
so greatly strengthens the overall stability of the area's energy delivery.
Called the Real-Time Demand Response Program, EnerNOC will manage and
coordinate electric power demand for ConnectiCare's generators and other
companies in this program. In return for participating, ConnectiCare will
receive monthly payments from EnerNOC for being "on call" should the
grid need them to reduce demand. In addition, ConnectiCare will receive
advanced notification whenever the grid nears overload conditions, enabling
ConnectiCare to proactively switch to backup power without disruption.
"With Connecticut's growing demand for energy and fragile energy supply
infrastructure, we wanted to do our part to support the community,"
said Sandy Hammell, Manager of Facilities at ConnectiCare. When called upon,
ConnectiCare will effectively reduce the equivalent amount of load on the
electrical power grid as consumed by 500 households.
Environmental Benefits
While the Demand Response Program is primarily designed to improve the
reliability of the electrical power grid, Connecticut's environment stands
to benefit as well. During brownouts and blackouts, thousands of poorly
maintained backup generators are run to keep the lights on. EnerNOC significantly
reduces the risk of brownouts and blackouts by working with large commercial,
institutional, and industrial customers to cut back on power consumption during
periods of high demand and strategically dispatch a limited number of the most
efficient, cleanest running backup generators.
By participating in EnerNOC's demand response program, ConnectiCare is
contributing to Connecticut's energy independence – reducing the need
for costly imported power during peak periods and reducing the need for generation,
transmission, and distribution upgrades, the costs of which are passed on to
Connecticut residents and businesses in the form of higher electricity rates.
Companies interested in the program can apply to Carol Tobian, EnerNOC, at (617) 224-9916.
About ConnectiCare
ConnectiCare is a managed care company based in Farmington, Connecticut and
a member of the HIP Family of Health Plans. ConnectiCare serves nearly 240,000 members.
The company was home-grown in Connecticut and has over 500 employees who reside mainly
in the Hartford area.
ConnectiCare was ranked 6th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in its list
of America's Best Health Plans® 2005 as ranked by the National Committee for
Quality Assurance (NCQA). ConnectiCare is the only Connecticut health plan listed
in the top ten.
Visit our website: www.connecticare.com.
About EnerNOC
EnerNOC, Inc. is the leading provider of demand response, price response, and
demand side management solutions in the US. Leveraging its deep experience in all
aspects of energy management, commercial contracting, and embedded systems technology,
EnerNOC delivers immediate, profitable results to customers. For more information, visit
www.enernoc.com.
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