Automated Critical Peak Pricing (Auto-CPP) Pilot for Large Commercial Facilities

Background

California utilities have been exploring the use of critical peak prices (CPP) to help reduce needle peaks in customer end-use loads. CPP is a form of price-responsive demand response. Recent experience has shown that customers have limited knowledge of how to operate their facilities to reduce their electricity costs under CPP. At the same time LBNL has been conducting research to demonstrate how price-response could be automated using XML-based communications with Energy Information Systems and Energy Management and Control Systems. Fully automated electric load shedding has taken place at about 18 sites, with average demand reductions of about 10%. Many end-use customers have suggested that automation will help them institutionalize their electric shedding. The alternative is manual shedding where building staff receives a signal and set in motion a set of activities to reduce demand. The LBNL research has found that many building EMCS and related lighting and other controls can be pre-programmed to initial and manage electric demand shedding.

Project Objectives

The objectives of this project are:

1. Demonstrate how an automated notification system for critical peak pricing can be used in large commercial facilities for demand response (DR). Evaluate effectiveness of such a system. Determine how customers will respond to this form of automation for CPP.
2. Evaluate what type of DR shifting and shedding strategies can be automated.
3. Develop information systems for commercial customers such as energy consumption feedback, audits, and economic analysis tools.
4. Demonstrate integrated energy management using advanced controls for both energy efficiency and DR. (Sample candidate for such a demonstration is dimmable ballast.)
5. Explore how automation of control strategies can increase participation rates and DR from CPP and automation.
6. Evaluate CPP economics and the influence of various rate designs.
7. Understand the costs and benefits of CPP from the owners' perspective.
8. Identify optimal control and shedding strategies.
9. Determine occupant and tenant response.

Technology Development

• Tests use a Price Server.
• Signal development with XML (eXtensive Mark-up Language) schema with Energy Information System Web Services or Internet Protocol Relay Field Tests.
• Recruit facilities, define shed strategies and shed measurement plans.

Establish Connectivity

• Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay) from Price Server.
• Internet to Web-based Energy or Energy Information System Gateway.

Automated Demand Response Test

If results in the areas of technology readiness, customer acceptance, or demand reduction potential are positive, this research program may proceed to subsequent phases leading to potential market implementation of demand shifting with thermal mass.

1. PG&E defines and sends price schedule to price server one day ahead.
2. Price published on server.
3. Polling clients request price every few minutes.
4. Energy Management Control System carries out shed based on price.

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