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BOSTON, MA – EnerNOC, Inc., a leading provider of technology-enabled demand response solutions, announced today that it has delivered 92 megawatts (MW) of new demand response capacity in Connecticut, exceeding its contract obligation of 75 MW. In April 2006, the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) approved a contract between EnerNOC and The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) that set this minimum threshold and enabled EnerNOC to deliver up to 110 MW of demand response capacity. In the nine months since the agreement was signed, EnerNOC has enabled more than 92 MW of new demand response capacity within CL&P’s service territory and has secured customer commitments to reach the 110 MW target.
Between 2000 and 2006, the demand for electricity in Connecticut increased by nearly 30 percent, from 5,875 MW to 7,479 MW. Despite this rise in demand, and due to the difficulty in siting new power plants, Connecticut regulators determined that inadequate operating reserves significantly compromised the reliability of Connecticut’s grid. In an effort to address this issue, in July 2005, the Connecticut Legislature passed Public Act 05-01, “An Act Concerning Energy Independence,” which set goals to reduce the State’s peak demand by 10 percent by 2010 in part by promoting the increased development of demand response. In turn, the DPUC and CL&P turned to EnerNOC to help recruit and enable commercial, institutional, and industrial customers in the State to reduce their demand for electricity from the electric power grid during infrequent but critical periods of peak demand. These customers help to prevent blackouts and promote a more efficient and environmentally sound electric power system.
Connecticut has emerged as a national leader in demand response as a result of the measures put in place by the State Legislature and DPUC. With approximately 460 MW of capacity estimated to be enabled, more than 200 MW of which is enabled by EnerNOC, the State has achieved more than six percent demand response penetration as a percentage of total system peak. Notably, customers in Southwest Connecticut have the highest rate of participation in demand response programs, representing 240 MW (or 10 percent) of Southwest Connecticut’s approximately 2,400 MW peak demand. Southwest Connecticut is a transmission constrained area with particularly acute reliability concerns, and demand response has proved effective at maintaining reliability. This was particularly true on August 2, 2006, when New England’s power system hit an all-time peak demand of 28,127 MW.
Once enabled, EnerNOC’s demand response capacity is on call, just like a peaking power plant, ready for dispatch by ISO New England, the operator of New England’s bulk electric power system. Within 30 minutes of notification by ISO-NE, EnerNOC uses its award-winning technology to send commands from its Network Operations Center, or NOC, to reduce demand from lights, heating and air conditioning equipment, pumps, motors, and other processes around the State.
“We are gratified by how many Connecticut businesses and institutions have helped meet the electrical needs of Connecticut by agreeing to reduce their electrical consumption at times of peak demand. Much has been done, and opportunity to further reduce peak demand remains. We look forward to continued work with the Connecticut Legislature, the DPUC, utilities and the businesses and institutions in Connecticut to help address this challenge,” said David Brewster, EnerNOC’s president and co-founder.
About EnerNOC:
EnerNOC, Inc. is a leading provider of technology-enabled total energy management solutions including full-service demand response, price response, and demand side management solutions. With more than 1,000 MW of electrical capacity under management, including over 450 MW of proven demand response resources, EnerNOC delivers immediate, profitable results to customers by leveraging its deep experience in all aspects of energy management, embedded systems technology, and progressive business practices. For more information, visit www.enernoc.com.
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