Demand Response Reduces Grid Stress in PJM During Polar Vortex

WASHINGTON, DC (May 13, 2014) – In the May 8 report, “Analysis of Operational Events and Market Impacts During the January 2014 Cold Weather Events”, PJM Interconnection asserts that, while the electric grid was stressed during the Polar Vortex, demand response played an important role in maintaining the reliability of the system.

During the Polar Vortex, PJM called on demand response three times – the morning and evening of January 7 and the morning of January 8 throughout the RTO.

The report states that,  “Demand response, although not required to participate during the winter this year, responded each time it was called upon.” In fact, the report confirmed that demand response “exceeded PJM’s expectations in real time.”

“This experience demonstrates once again, the value of demand response,” stated Rick Counihan, Chairman of AEMA. “Demand response has proven itself a fast-acting, responsive resource that can help independent system operators and electric utilities maintain grid reliability.”

Demand response programs enable consumers to reduce their energy usage in return for compensation.  In addition to directly saving consumers money, demand response makes the electric grid more efficient, more reliable, more environmentally friendly, and less expensive according to the Advanced Energy Management Alliance (AEMA), a coalition of demand response providers and electric customers.

AEMA continues to grow, recently adding Opower and MelRok to the membership roll as regional demand response providers.

 

About AEMA:
The Advanced Energy Management Alliance (AEMA) is an association of providers and supporters of demand response united to overcome barriers to nationwide use of demand response for an environmentally preferable and more reliable grid.  AEMA advocates policies that empower and compensate customers to manage their energy usage and make the electric grid more efficient, more reliable, more environmentally friendly, and less expensive.

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