National Grid, AutoGrid bring demand response to the natural gas industry
AutoGrid is no stranger to demand response, which has become an essential tool for managing the nation’s power grid. But according to Greentech Media, this is the first time it has applied those concepts to natural gas demand.
Recently, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners recognized the utility for implementing the demand response program. State utility regulators are “leading and supporting innovative business models that develop new ways to manage a flexible and reliable energy system,” Carlos Nouel, vice president of new energy solutions at National Grid, said in a statement.
AutoGrid’s cloud-based Flex application sends automated signals to direct load-control devices provided by IP Keys, another partner in the project. Those signals can switch enrolled customers’ furnaces, boilers and other natural gas-fired equipment on and off.
Demand response events will be conducted between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. through the winter heating season.
