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EnerNOC, Constellation sign contracts with OPA

EnerNOC, Inc., a developer and provider of clean and intelligent energy solutions, recently announced a five-year contract with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to provide demand response capacity in the Greater Toronto Area, Waterloo Region and City of Hamilton.
 
The contract, which falls under OPA’s DR3 load reduction program, enables EnerNOC to deliver up to 25 MW of capacity. In addition, EnerNOC has the ability to submit applications to the OPA in the future for the delivery of additional megawatts under the DR3 program. These applications will be subject to acceptance by the OPA. 
 
“Demand response is a valuable resource that enables a wide range of benefits for integrated power systems, provides financial incentives for participants and reduces the need for building additional capacity, which has a positive environmental impact,” said Sean Brady, director of demand response and industrial programs for the OPA.

EnerNOC uses its proprietary technology to ensure that participating businesses and institutions reduce their non-essential electricity consumption during times of peak demand, and offers financial incentives to organizations participating in the program. One such organization that already has signed with EnerNOC in Ontario is Atlas Cold Storage. During demand response events, Atlas Cold Storage has contracted with EnerNOC to reduce its electricity demand through measures such as turning off compressors and individual fans inside its storage units. 
 
“For us, demand response is a win-win situation. We’re excited to be able to play our part in helping to protect the environment by curtailing our energy consumption when the provincial electricity system is most strained, while also reducing our energy costs as a result of our participation in the EnerNOC program,” said John Fountain, vice president, engineering, Atlas Cold Storage.
 
Meanwhile, Constellation Energy’s subsidiary, Constellation NewEnergy, announced recently that it is now offering its NewResponse demand response program to commercial, industrial and governmental electricity customers in Ontario. Also a member of the OPA’s DR3 Program, Constellation NewEnergy has also agreed to provide 25 MW of demand response capacity, to reduce energy use during times of peak demand.

“Enrolling in a demand response program is a smart business decision that delivers an immediate return on investment,” said Peter Kelly-Detwiler, senior vice president for Constellation NewEnergy. “The benefits of participating in the OPA DR3 program are twofold: alleviating pressure on the grid and providing revenue that customers may choose to invest in additional energy efficiency and environmental programs.”

Ontario is the first Province in Canada to begin implementation of a demand response program designed to reduce stress on the electricity grid and to help prevent blackouts. Constellation NewEnergy is already offering demand response products to customers in the United States.

“We are pleased to see Constellation NewEnergy, a provider of energy services to wholesale, commercial and industrial customers, offering new products and services to the Ontario electric market,” said Paul Shervill, vice president Conservation and Sector Development of the OPA. “We look forward to working with Constellation NewEnergy to provide Ontario-based customers additional opportunities to manage their energy costs while helping to reduce electricity demand when supplies are tight.”

 For more information on these two providers, visit www.enernoc.com and www.newenergy.com.
 

April 24, 2008  By  Rob Colman