Retail Supplier Launches New Demand Response Programs in Texas, PJM

Gexa Energy, LP introduced three new demand response programs for commercial and industrial customers located in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market, while affiliate NextEra Energy Services launched two similar programs tailored for customers in PJM

Gexa's and NextEra Energy Services' new "ControlComm" demand response offerings leverage technology to enable customers to develop intelligent curtailment plans using forecasts developed with advanced analytics and the latest market information, the companies said

The Gexa ControlComm demand response programs available to Gexa Energy C&I customers in Texas include:

• Emergency Response Service (ERS): The ERS program is operated by ERCOT and allows customers with interval data recorder meters and usage in excess of 100 kilowatts to receive payments for supporting grid stability. Customers who are enrolled in the program agree to reduce electricity usage by a predefined amount when ERCOT announces an ERS event, with reduction mandatory for enrolled customers. The amount that customers can earn from the program depends on the number of hours enrolled and the clearing price for the amount of the electric load reduction.

• Real-Time Price Response (RTPR): This program enables Gexa Energy customers on a fixed price product to voluntarily reduce electricity usage when real-time market prices for electricity are high for at least an hour and are forecasted to stay high for a few hours in the future. Customers who choose to reduce their electricity usage below their calculated baseline during such periods will get paid based on the length of the time interval and the market price of electricity during the time interval.

• 4 Coincident Peak (4CP): The 4CP program enables participants to lower their energy bills by reducing electric usage during any or all of the four 15-minute ERCOT peak events that occur in June, July, August, and September. Customers that participate in the program and voluntarily reduce their electric usage during these events can reduce their transmission cost of service charges the following year. Gexa Energy provides a day ahead and week ahead notification to the customers to plan for anticipated 4-CP peaks in the ERCOT market.

For NextEra Energy Services C&I customers in PJM, ControlComm demand response programs include:

• Real-Time Price Response (RTPR): This program enables NextEra Energy Services’ customers on a fixed price product to voluntarily reduce electricity usage when real-time market prices for electricity are high for at least an hour and are forecasted to stay high for a few hours in the future. Customers who choose to reduce their electricity usage below a calculated baseline during such periods will get paid based on the duration and corresponding market prices of electricity during their curtailment.

• 5 Peak Load Contribution (5PLC): The 5PLC program enables participants to lower their energy bills by reducing electric usage during any or all of the five highest 15-minute PJM peak events that occur in June, July, August and September. Customers that participate in the program and voluntarily reduce their electric usage during these events can reduce their demand the following year. NextEra Energy Services provides a daily notification and rolling five-day forecast to customers to plan for anticipated 5PLC peaks in the PJM market.

Customers can choose to manually participate in all these programs or automate some or all of their participation by connecting their energy assets -- building management systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, lighting systems, backup generators, uninterruptible power supply, and energy storage systems -- to Gexa Energy ControlComm, an online demand response platform, powered by AutoGrid Systems.

Gexa said that ControlComm platform features:

• Automation: ControlComm integrates grid operator demand response event signals directly into its system, and also features support for OpenADR and other demand response communications standards, enabling customers to choose their level of automation -- be it manual, semi-automated or fully automated.

• Forecasting and Analytics: ControlComm features built-in forecasting algorithms which use advanced machine learning technology to provide more accurate forecasts of when demand response events are likely to be scheduled, helping customers better plan for demand response events while minimizing unnecessary alerts.

• Customer Engagement: ControlComm gives customers the ability to analyze historical and interval energy data, delivering them personalized notifications on cost-savings opportunities via email or the ControlComm customer portal.