About Demand Response (DR):

Demand response occurs when electric utility providers request the customer to reduce their usage for a given time period that is characterized by periods of very high demand. During such periods of time, the electric utility may be having difficulties in meeting the electric demand and have instituted a pricing incentive program to encourage buildings to participate in a demand response program.  These programs and incentives can either be on a voluntary or automated basis.  In voluntary programs, electric utilities will rely on the costumer to curtail electricity consumption on their own.  For automated demand response (ADR) programs, the electric utilities control the reduction in energy use with no input from the end-use customer. Typically, automated demand response programs have much better financial incentives associated with their implementation. 

Automated demand response typically effect the cooling set points and lighting levels in buildings. Typically, during a period of high electric demand the cooling systems will increase the set point by one or two degrees and the lighting systems will decrease the light levels in the building.  When applied to a large number of participating buildings the impact of high demand on utilities can be greatly reduced.  Additionally, the reduction of electric conception can be combined with on-site power generation to produce a much larger financial incentive for building owners. 

The Benefits of Demand Response:

The benefits of demand response are generally associated with the financial incentives provided to the customer by the electrical utility.  However, additional benefits through participation in an ADR utility program will also be realized.  These benefits result from increased systems controls associated with the necessary equipment control that allows for ADR to occur within a building.

Our Goals:

At Pinnacle Energy, our goal make the cost of operating your building as low as possible while maintaining efficient operation, and occupant comfort. To this end our team will do the following to implement a demand response program:

1. Ensure that involvement in any demand response program does not compromise critical building operations or tenant comfort. 

2. Find the most appropriate utility program for your building while providing the largest incentive.

3. Monitor your buildings performance in regard to demand response participation to ensure the systems are properly reducing energy consumption.

4. Find the best demand response control methods that has benefits for the buildings overall control systems.