Demand Response Programs Provide Utility Resources

Utility experience during the past several years shows that demand response programs can provide resources that cost-effectively substitute for building new power plants.

Leading-Edge Benefits of a GoodCents Program

GoodCents demand response programs offer certain advantages not always available with similar programs. GoodCents Direct and GoodCents Select use only proven technology that is currently in mass production. No matter how many of your customers sign up, we will have on hand the carefully screened and tested equipment we need to successfully implement the project.

These programs also give you and your customers the option of using the Internet to provide customer-friendly interfaces that give the customer access to more program choices and a greater sense of control and involvement.

GoodCents Direct

One such program is direct load control, in which the utility controls customer energy consumption at times when supply is critically short by means of equipment installed at the customer’s home. Our GoodCents Direct program can provide the same resources a combustion turbine generating plant can but at lower cost.

The typical direct load control program for summer-peaking utilities enrolls residential customers having central air-conditioning. The preferred method of load control is a radio-activated, individually addressable, load control device that would be mounted at a customer’s premises to cycle central air-conditioning compressors during times of extreme peak loading or summertime supply shortages.

Other end uses can also be the subject of direct load control. Page-receptive thermostats permit utility-directed temperature setback programs. Electric water heaters can be turned off remotely by using a load control relay capable of receiving a control signal via page, power line carrier, or some other way. Read more about our program. 

GoodCents Select^®

Technological advances in communications and computers have created opportunities for electric utilities to provide their customers with price signals more closely reflecting actual real-time events. A program like GoodCents Select lets you effectively manage residential energy consumption while providing your customers with certain features they value — choice, control, comfort, “connectedness,” and savings potential.

Our GoodCents Select program has evolved over time to become more cost-effective, more technologically advanced, and now uses an excellent combination of hardware and software. Earlier versions of this program, which may still be in operation, are not supported or recommended by GoodCents.

This program is a customer-controlled, price-responsive load management program for the residential and small commercial markets. It typically combines a time-variable pricing scheme, a customer-programmable in-home thermostat, and a utility-to-customer communications network. Read more about our program.

Turnkey Approach to Demand Response

In addition to equipment installation, GoodCents provides a full range of professional program services, including program design, marketing, customer recruitment, program evaluation, and long-term customer care — a total turnkey business solution.