Intelligent Demand Management & Response

Reduce your utility bills by using less energy during periods of peak electricity demand

How it works

Many utilities across New York State offer incentives for businesses to manage and reduce their energy use during periods of peak electricity demand. Demand-related costs can account for 30 to 70 percent of the total electricity cost in a monthly electricity bill. New, smart building technologies work to reduce these demand costs by forecasting the temperature and humidity, alerting users of impending peak demand periods, and recommending actions you can take to lower or adjust your energy use during these times.

Energy-saving actions can range from dimming the lights to pre-cooling a space on very hot days. This process can be manual, with the technology sending instructions to your building staff to make the recommended changes or it can be automated, allowing your control platform to send energy reduction commands in real-time, including dimming lights, slowing down fans/pumps, and changing temperature set-points in unoccupied spaces. Depending on what monitoring systems you already have in place, this process can also be automated: Technologies can send energy reduction commands, dimming lights and limiting equipment use, for instance.

How you benefit

• Increase profitability with reduced operating costs and electricity bills
• Safeguard against utility rate increases and energy price volatility
• Access utility incentives for participation in demand management programs
• Support energy and system reliability in your community
• Reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner and healthier community

When you should consider it

Intelligent demand management and response may be good for your business if you are:

• Looking to establish more predictable electricity costs and reduce demand charges
• Equipped with existing energy monitoring systems
• Managing multiple systems and pieces of equipment in your building or facility
• Interested in reducing your carbon footprint and building sustainable business practices
• Trying to obtain or improve a green building certification for your building