enerShift Demand Response
The enerShift Demand Response (DR) Program is one of a number of Conservation & Demand Management initiatives EnWin Utilities is offering to their large commercial, industrial and institutional (CI&I) energy customers. Designed to increase electricity system reliability, enerShift enlists the CI&I sector to reduce electricity when demand is high and receive direct financial incentives and other economic benefits in return.
With Ontario's growing demand for electricity putting a strain on existing infrastructure, Demand Response is emerging as a flexible real-time solution to meeting peak demand. EnWin is working with Rodan Energy and Metering Solutions to deliver the enerShift DR program. By participating in the enerShift program, consumers with greater than 50kW of DR load potential can take an active role in putting the power back in their community by curtailing predetermined loads upon notification during times of peak demand or when the power system is constrained.
Program Details
Curtailment requirementsParticipants are required to be available to curtail electricity use for a four hour period between the hours of 12:00-9:00pm (June 1 - Sept 30) and 4:00-9:00pm (Oct 1 - May 31) for up to a maximum of 200 hours over the year.
Financial IncentivesParticipating EnWin customers will receive a monthly capacity payment based on contracted curtailment amount. An energy payment will also be issued to participants for the actual reduction during a DR curtailment event. Additional economic benefits include energy savings by reducing electricity use when prices are typically at their highest.
Participation OptionsProjects include three main options:
- Load Shifting - Participants defer predetermined operational processes to non-peak periods. This is ideal for manufacturing.
- Load Interruption - Participant reduce electricity use through curtailment of non-essential loads such as lighting and HVAC.
- Load Displacement - Participants can offset load drawn from the grid via the use of standby generators.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Demand Response?
- Why do we need Demand Response?
- Why is DR a 'green initiative'?
- How does DR help my bottom line?
- How can I participate?
- What do I need to participate
What is Demand Response?
Demand Response (DR) refers to short-term electricity curtailment initiated as a result of electricity supply shortages or a given market price. DR allows large energy users to be compensated for reducing electricity demand when the system is constrained or when wholesale prices are very high. By actively reducing electricity use during periods of high demand lessens the strain on the grid and helps to mitigate power outages.
Why do we need Demand Response?
Demand Response is part of EnWin's overall Conservation & Demand Management portfolio. Conservation seeks to reduce overall demand. Demand Response addresses short-term supply constraints that may be prompted by extreme weather or supply-side concerns such as generator outages. As Ontario's electricity demand grows, so too does the need for additional generation & transmission resources to meet this demand. Peak demand is often no more that several hundreds of hours each year. In 2006, peak electricity demand exceeded 25,000 MW for only 32 hours over the year. DR provides an alternative to building new peak generation assets.
How is DR a 'Green Initiative?
Reducing demand helps to reduce Ontario's greenhouse gas emissions, since gas and natural gas power generation can quickly be brought on line to meet peak demand. One MWH from coal-power generation and natural gas generations produce one tonne and 290 kg in Carbon dioxide emissions respectively. Helping to eliminate Ontario's reliance on coal also reduces the source of smog pollutants such as SO2 and NOx. In addition, by reducing peak demand, DR reduces the need to build costly new generation and transmission resources.
How does DR help my bottom line?
Participants in the program will be contracted to reduce electricity use by a predetermined amount. The financial benefits of Demand Response are three-fold. Participants receive a monthly capacity payment determined by the contracted electricity reduction. Participants also receive an energy payment for electricity curtailed during a DR event (up to either 100 or 200 hours each year). The participant also benefits from lower electricity costs. By reducing usage when prices are high, the participant can see the direct result on their monthly electricity bill.
How can I participate?
Rodan Energy and Metering Solutions will work with your organization to identify loads that maximize participation while minimizing the impact on your operation. Often up to 10% of load can be reduced through shifting non-essential processes and reducing background load. Additional opportunities exist for facilities with backup generators. Participating in the enerShift DR program helps to offset maintenance and operational costs associated with the generator. For facilities without a generator, the revenue stream generated though participation can enable the acquisition of such a resource.
What do I need to participate?
Participants are required to have an interval meter with telecommunications to monitor energy. As part of the process, after an initial site evaluation, potential participants will be required to do two capacity tests. These are essentially curtailment events. These will determine the contracted curtailment amount on which the payments are based.
"The City of Windsor is a vibrant and dynamic community. Our first commitment is to our customers and to ensure a reliable power supply within our service territory. As part of the enerShift DR program, large energy consumers are able to reduce their energy costs and be part of an environmental solution that provides benefits to all our customers."
President & CEO EnWin Utilities Ltd
