EnergyConnect Launches New Integrated Platform

Friday, 06 August 2010 20:38

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EnergyConnect Group Inc. has launched GridConnect, an integrated software platform that facilitates participation in next-gen demand response programs. GridConnect provides commercial, institutional, and industrial consumers with real-time energy information and empowers them to meet their energy needs through an optimal mix of demand response strategies.

Stu Bresler, PJM’s Vice President of Market Operations and Demand Response, says, “Demand response is an important participant in PJM Interconnection’s competitive wholesale electricity market. Our market provides real-time price signals about grid congestion and the locational cost and need for power. Demand response providers, such as EnergyConnect, enable end-use customers to readily receive and respond to our price signals so they can manage their costs effectively and influence wholesale power prices by reducing demand while improving grid reliability.”

GridConnect, a secure web-based integrated platform, provides full time access to EnergyConnect’s products, including the FlexConnect price-responsive demand technology. The user interface enables access to price-response and ancillary service market opportunities throughout the year.

Paul Nowicki, Manager of Facilities and Manufacturing Engineering, Knoll Inc. notes, “When I log in to GridConnect, the new dashboard offers a complete snapshot of contextual information about our energy use and demand response opportunities. Through a single web link we can now monitor performance in dispatchable demand response events as well as optimize participation in the price-response demand markets, thereby reducing our costs and increasing our overall contribution to grid reliability.”

According to a 2009 report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), traditional demand response programs are estimated to reduce peak demand by 38 gigawatts (GW). FERC estimates a wider adoption of advanced metering, dynamic pricing, and integrated technologies, could increase the demand response market by more than 100GW by 2019.

Kevin Evans, EnergyConnect President and CEO calls demand response is an integral part of a smarter grid “and an absolute necessity during periods of peak demand. To achieve its full potential, energy consumption and the impact of electricity prices must be presented in the context of a customer’s business. GridConnect sets a new standard in integrated demand response technology, by providing customers with real-time energy information and market access to inform and motivate them to manage their demand, save money and contribute to a sustainable future.”

EnergyConnect delivers industry-leading Demand Response technologies and services to commercial, institutional and industrial consumers. For more information visit: www.energyconnectinc.com.