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Demand Response

Automated demand response can be used by commercial, government, industrial and institutional enterprises to maximize energy savings or develop an additional source of revenue. Many utilities and load response companies now offer demand response programs that provide cash rebates to partners who agree to reduce or curtail their energy use at peak times.

Renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements from Ameresco allow our customers to take advantage of demand response incentives without disruption to their organizations. Automated energy demand response controls coupled with on-site generation using geothermal, solar, wind, biomass or landfill-gas-to-energy provide the off-grid power needed to keep facilities running while reducing energy use from the grid. Combined with an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), demand response can generate the capital needed for facility improvements, new development or additional staff.

Tapping the Power of Demand Response

Demand response programs from utilities offer cash rebates to customers who willingly reduce their on-grid energy use during peak times or during times when energy prices are exceptionally high. A demand response program allows utilities to manage volatility in energy prices, and the savings are passed on to customers.

These utility rebates can provide badly needed capital, but in many enterprises, including manufacturing, healthcare and government facilities, simply turning off the power is impossible. Ameresco’s team of energy efficiency and renewable energy specialists can find ways for facilities to reduce overall energy use, create energy demand response protocols that route power only to essential systems or develop on-site generation that reduces the overall need for grid power. Automated demand response systems offer the greatest control, allowing customers to automatically or remotely manage energy consumption at times of peak demand.

Featured Case Study

Daytime view of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, as seen from the water

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

The installation of backup power systems allowed this military base to maintain operations, even when asked to disconnect from the grid by Central Maine Power.