A: Demand Response programs are implemented by utility companies and wholesale energy markets to encourage customers to reduce their electricity consumption temporarily during peak periods. This helps maintain grid reliability and mitigate high prices in response to changes in the supply-demand dynamics of the grid.

A: With Enersponse's platform, the need for physical adjustment of building controls can be eliminated. The utility signal is seamlessly translated to the building's controls, resulting in an automatic reduction of energy usage according to the pre-set parameters established during program enrollment. There are also incentives available to help automate DR if an agency is interested.

A: There is no cost! Utility customers are compensated for reducing their electricity consumption, which helps alleviate stress on the electrical grid. By enrolling through Enersponse, there is no cost, no fees and no penalties.

A: The customer's revenue for participating comes from the utility or from CAISO. The cost of DR is less than the cost of building new transmission lines and power plants to accommodate the occasional demand peaks that put pressure on the grid, so DR programs and contracts incentivize demand reduction.

A: No. Enersponse's platform is cloud-based and is compatible with the majority of BMS’s, allowing a seamless connection with your current control systems.

A: No. Enersponse works closely with you to develop a reduction strategy that meets your needs, guaranteeing that your operational objectives remain intact while reducing only what is realistically achievable.

A: Participating through manual DR is feasible without any issues. Before opting for Auto-DR, it is imperative to check the terms of the lease as you will likely need to obtain the building owner's approval in order to integrate the BMS with Enersponse for automated events.

A: Thank you for taking the initiative and participating in Demand Response! While staying with your current provider is an option, it is wise to thoroughly assess the project's financial standing and weigh the potential benefits of switching to a different provider. Enersponse will be there to support you throughout the entire process.

A: There are many reasons why you would want to enroll through Enersponse. Enrolling in demand response programs can be a very lengthy, complicated process - Enersponse does the heavy lifting here by getting you enrolled and managing your performance data and reporting. If you are enrolled directly to the utility or CAISO and unable to participate in an event, you will be penalized - with Enersponse, there are no penalties.

Additionally, you will have access to centralized usage and performance reporting, as well as a view of carbon emission reduction on each building.

A: Yes. You will be able to see the number of events that were called, your demand reduction, and how many pounds of CO2 your agency has avoided by month and year. Enersponse also simplifies the data to show the equivalent of removing X passenger vehicles driven, eliminating X lbs of coal burned to the equivalent, and adding X acres of U.S. forests in one year.

A: As a facilities manager, there are two important tasks that need to be accomplished. The first task involves gathering all the necessary information required for enrollment, including addresses and utility account numbers. The second task may vary depending on whether the building is participating in manual DR or ADR. In the case of manual DR, pre-cooling and event reduction will need to be conducted manually. With ADR, their assistance will be needed to establish the reduction strategy with the BMS vendor or installer.

A: Enersponse supports programs with Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs), Municipal Utilities, and Rural Electric Cooperatives as well as the large Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) like PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E. Enersponse is here to assist you in enrolling in an available program.

A: No building is too small. It's recommended to contact the Enersponse team to assess your building and develop a tailored curtailment plan for each one.

A: No, you can still participate in demand response programs by manually reducing energy consumption during events.

A: If you’d like to upgrade your system to a building management system, there are rebates available in PG&E and SCE service territories. Enersponse will enroll you in a DR program and apply for utility funding. Once approved, you can purchase the automation system upfront from a provider. After installation, Enersponse and the utility will test your response and load shed capabilities and the utility will pay your incentive. Talk with Enersponse to ensure your controls qualify.

A: Yes. There are ADR programs available that allow the set-it-and-forget-it mentality. Enersponse will work with you to get your pre-set specifications into the Enersponse platform to ensure temperature comfortability before, during and after events.

A: Yes! You can save even more on your utility bill and reduce carbon emissions by participating in additional Demand Response (DR) programs while continuing to participate in the Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP).

A: Absolutely. Enersponse can help identify strategies to help you reduce even more without impacting your operations, identify other programs your buildings will qualify for, and manage the details of enrollments and performance reporting for you.

A: Yes, anytime you reduce your energy usage you will save on your utility bill. It may be helpful to consult with Enersponse to determine the most effective ways to reduce costs while maintaining a comfortable and functional work environment.

A: Enersponse can assess all of your buildings and inform you of the available Demand Response programs, saving you the trouble of doing it yourself.