PG&E offers a variety of demand-response programs to conserve energy
245,000 individuals and businesses have participated in these programs to keep California’s electrical grid healthy
–Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) provides a wide range of available demand-response (DR) programs and it continues to grow. Customers are embracing them in a way that benefits them personally and all Californians more broadly.
Approximately 245,000 industrial, business and residential customers have enrolled in a variety of demand-response programs. These programs have the potential to provide approximately 365.8 megawatts of load-reduction capacity. roughly enough electricity for the instantaneous demand of about 275,000 homes.
Customers who participate in these DR programs acknowledge and understand their value.
The Farmers’ Rice Cooperative (FRC) is a grower-owned rice marketing cooperative in operation since 1944, which is one of PG&E’s many customers.
“The FRC supports the community and environment that makes our industry possible. All FRC locations are enrolled in demand-response programs. FRC feels that demand-response programs are more important than ever to protect California from electrical grid capacity constraints. FRC is more than proud to support the community; it is integral to who we are,” said Joe Schloesser, the FRC’s director of Engineering and Continuous Improvement.
Terranova Ranch, a 6,000-acre farm that grows more than 25 crops in Helm in Fresno County, participates in multiple demand-response programs.
“With operational constraints that don’t allow us to completely avoid on-peak TOU, demand response gives us a flexible option to contribute when we can,” said Patrick Pinkard, manager at Terranova Ranch. “Being located in a small community, it’s a nice incentive to know our actions can go a long way in helping surrounding homes and businesses keep their lights and AC on, often when they need it the most.”
Tishman Speyer is a global real estate developer operating in 29 markets in nine countries.
“As a high-volume user of electricity, Tishman Speyer wants to do our part in contributing to reducing usage on the grid. Participating in demand-response programs such as the Emergency Load Reduction Program allows us to take an active role for preventing rotating outages in California while ensuring our operational needs are met,” said Scott Lessard, the chief engineer at Tishman Speyer’s property on 400 Castro St. in Mountain View.
Ardent Mills is a flour-milling and ingredient company.
“Our core values are trust, serving, simplicity and safety, and being enrolled in the Base Interruptible Program through PG&E is consistent with our company’s core values,” said Trevor Meyers, plant manager of Ardent Mills’ Stockton Mill facility. “Not only are we concerned with serving our customers and communities with nutritious grain-based solutions, but we can also serve our communities by curtailing our power needs during periods of grid capacity constraints.”
There is a plethora of energy-reduction incentive programs for both business customers and residential customers.
For business customers, for example:
- Peak Day Pricing: Business customers get discounted rates throughout the year, except during nine to 15 “events” (four-hour blocks) when the electric system is strained and rates are higher. Events typically occur on the hottest days of summer.
- Base Interruptible Program: Business customers with an average maximum demand of at least 100 kilowatts (kW) earn a monthly incentive for reducing energy consumption to prescribed levels when called upon. The program has been expanded to year-round enrollment, increasing the incentive to participate in the program by $1.50/kW-month.
- Capacity Bidding Program: Business customers work with third-party programs to create a plan that allows them more flexibility in deciding how to earn incentives by reducing energy usage when called upon. The program has expanded to weekends and is implementing other changes that incentivize third-party companies to sign-up even more new customers for their programs to provide greater load reductions during grid emergencies.
- Emergency Load Reduction Program and the California State Emergency Program: Both are voluntary programs that offer positive incentives with no penalties, what’s described as a “all carrot, no stick” approach to mitigate the impacts of capacity shortfalls.
Residential customers can participate in:
- SmartAC: Customers get $50 and a free air-conditioning checkup. The program is free and helps prevent power interruptions.
- SmartRate: Allows customers to take control of their electric rate and help conserve power when needed most. PG&E’s Bill Protection guarantee for the first full summer season means residential customers can try it risk free.
“We’re all in this together – PG&E, our residential and business customers, the state and others,” said Marlene Santos, PG&E’s Chief Customer Officer and a company EVP. “This is a success story based on the engagement of our customers, their awareness of demand-response programs and how they are answering the call.”
Importantly, helping conserve energy isn’t just the job of customers who sign up to participate in DR programs.
During heat waves in 2020 and 2021, where the reliability of the grid was in jeopardy, PG&E customers stepped up and conserved energy. The result was that no more rotating outages were needed after Aug. 14 and 15 last year and none have been needed so far this year. During the August 2020 heat events, PG&E customers and those of other load-serving entities helped reduce the peak demand on the grid by as much as 4,000 MW, roughly enough electricity for the instantaneous demand of about 3 million homes.
