Four stand-by natural gas booster pumps are brought on line to supply water to customers while the electric booster pumps are off line. |
The water district staff researched programs that would give them the flexibility to participate when they could, without incurring penalties if they could not participate during a certain event. After completing an in-depth evaluation of multiple demand response providers, UWCD contracted with the energy management firm CPower.
"CPower's program fit our needs perfectly. If we were't able to shed load during an event because our demand was too high, there was't a penalty – we just would't receive a payment that month," said Blankenship. "CPower has been able to provide us with the guidance and flexibility we were looking for."
During the initial phase of the program, CPower worked with UWCD to identify a curtailable energy load of 400 kW which would not have an adverse effect on the water district's daily operations. Under terms of the agreement, UWCD is required to curtail up to 400kW of energy for a maximum of four hours after receiving notification of an event.
In order to achieve that goal, and sustain required standards of operation, UWCD switches from electricity to natural gas engines.
In the past six years, UWCD has participated in all but one demand response event, and its customers have experienced no adverse effects from the program. In addition to reducing its own energy expenses, UWCD's demand response program enabled the water district to earn significant revenue. The program also gave UWCD the opportunity to reduce its per kW cost by helping SCE avoid building additional power plants and prevent blackouts by contributing to the reliability of its regional electrical system.
