Demand Response Enabling Technologies and Case Studies from the NYSERDA Peak Load Reduction Program

Chris Smith, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Gary Epstein and Mark D’Antonio, Energy & Resource Solutions, Inc.

Keywords

Abstract

The NYSERDA Peak Load Reduction program is an innovative initiative that is intended to serve as a focused demand response or kW reduction enabling equipment installation incentive program, thereby supporting the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) curtailment programs. This paper first describes both the NYSERDA and NYISO programs, clearly articulating how these programs differ and how they work together. There are multiple options and initiatives available to participants in both organizations’ programs, and the benefits or penalties of each option are thoroughly described.

For the NYSERDA program, the key objective is to subsidize the installation of demand response enabling technologies. Following the program discussion, the paper will provide an overview discussion of the multitude of technologies that are appropriate for demand response. The appropriateness and limitations of different technologies for different purposes or programmatic objectives will be described. Key technology categories that will be included in our discussion are: online and real time energy and demand information and reporting systems; direct load control technologies; metering systems; energy efficiency technologies; comprehensive building automation systems; demand-focused control systems; lighting control technologies; emergency generator systems; distributed generation systems; and load shifting equipment.

After the discussion of the enabling technologies, we conclude the paper with a discussion of several NYSERDA case study projects from the Peak Load Reduction Program. These case studies will describe the technologies and approaches deployed to achieve the demand reduction at the site, the quantitative impact of the project, and a discussion of the overall successes at each site. NYSERDA’s Peak Load Reduction