Demand Response Using WebCtrl

By: James McDermott  June/ 2010

Demand Response has been a Utility Program for decades.  Today there is an increased need and incentive for these programs throughout many regions of the U.S.  Utilities, Grid Operators and the US Government agencies including FERC are encouraging the expansion of these programs for many reasons.  A few to mention are the aging grid infrastructure, the high cost to build or operate additional power plants for Peak Demand and the capability to stabilize the electrical grid system to keep the system online during a Peak Load Event.  Peak Load Events can add 80% additional electrical Load to the grid system compared to an average load demand period.  One of the main reasons for this is because of the increased Air Conditioning usage during these hot temperature days.

Facilities that are willing to participate in these programs have the opportunity for financial incentives from the Utilities or a Demand Response provider.  The first incentive is for signing up for a program.  The facility gets a one time payment to sign a contract based on there KW reduction target that they agree to.  After the KW Reduction is set, there is a test for the program.  This gives the facility operations the ability to understand there loads throughout the facility and where the load reductions can be accomplished.

If a facility is committed to the Demand Response Program, it also could help them start a Energy Management Plan for the facility.  If the DR Provider does offers a load study of the facility, this information can be used by the operations staff to understand where there electrical loads are, which ones are the highest and what can be reduced during the Demand Response Event.  This information could also be used to reduce Peak Demand Charges.  As part of the Demand Response Program, the Demand Response provider will require electrical metering of the facility.  

Using the Automated Logic WebCtrl System for your Demand Response Program can easily give you the capabilities to automate the Demand Response Load Reductions and Report the KW reductions during an event to the Demand Response Provider.  Once the pulse meter is connected to the WebCtrl System, it could also be used to report the electrical demand (KW) and consumption (KWH) for the facility using the New Energy Reporting features in WebCtrl.  Contact your Automated Logic Dealer for more information on how WebCtrl can be used to help you implement your Demand Response Program and to help Manage the Energy at your facility.