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It is, they said, the first technology to give utilities auditable peak load and permanent load reduction. A recent survey of more than half of the DR programs in the country found the average participation rate among residential customers is now 13%. Honeywell and OPower predict the new platform will boost that rate to at least 20% because of user-friendly elements like mobile access to energy information and control.
The report noted that the participation increase would result in an additional 220 megawatts of peak shed capacity for those utilities surveyed alone, a figure that represents the production of more than four gas-fired peaker plants.
The Energy Management Platform incorporates Honeywell's Wi-Fi thermostat and Akuacom's (a Honeywell company) utility management software with Opower's interactive, cloud-based app to give homeowners a way to see and adjust electricity use through a smart phone or the Web. It also provides coaching and tips to boost efficiency and long-term savings.
The platform isn't ready for release just yet. It is undergoing testing in a trial with Pacific Gas & Electric. Honeywell and Opower are recruiting participants and plan to install more than 500 free thermostats to confirm the energy savings in an effort to get a feel for how customers feel about using the technology. The trial is expected to end in early 2014.
"Program participation can't be a one-way proposition. To maximize enrollment, utilities must provide real, tangible benefits to consumers," said Jeremy Eaton, VP and general manager of Honeywell Smart Grid Solutions. "We're bridging the gap by providing mobility, relatable energy information, precise control and other features customers want so utilities can reach deeper levels of connectivity and participation."
On the utility side, the platform includes Akuacom's Demand Response Automation Server which offers a secure, two-way connection between the utility operations center and residence. It allows utilities to temporarily control air conditions and other equipment when energy consumption spikes and threatens the stability of the grid. And it provides real-time feedback on the effects of demand response events.
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