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

Summer 2006

Background

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 (EMCS) since 2003. Fully automated electric load shedding has taken place at about 27 commercial sites, with average demand reductions of about 9%. Many end-use customers have suggested that automation will help them institutionalize their electric shedding and the DR value is maximized when the demand reductions are predictable and consistently repeatable. The LBNL research, experimenting with a fictitious signal in 2003 and 2004 as well as with the Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) Program in 2005, has found that many building EMCS and related lighting and other controls can be pre-programmed to initial and manage electric demand shedding. CPP is a form of price-responsive demand response. California utilities have been exploring the use of critical peak prices (CPP) to help reduce needle peaks in customer end-use loads.

Project Objectives

The main goal of this project is to determine how automation of CPP can substantially increase its market penetration and subsequent savings in peak electrical demand. Other objectives include:

1. Demonstrate how an automated notification system for critical peak pricing can be used in large 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, limiting and shedding strategies can be automated.
3. Develop information systems for commercial, industrial and agricultural 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.
5. Explore how automation of control strategies can increase participation rates and DR from CPP and automation.
6. Evaluate CPP economics.
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.
10. Develop a business plan for PG&E to offer an automated-DR program in the future.

Technology Development

• Tests use a price and reliability based DR Automation Server.
• Signal development with XML-based (eXtensive Mark-up Language) Web Service Oriented Archtiecture (SOA) with Energy Information System Web Services or Internet Protocol Relay Field Tests.
• Recruit facilities with PG&E account represetatives, define shed strategies and shed measurement plans with DR Integration Services Company (DRISCO).

Establish Connectivity

• Client Logic Integrated Relay (CLIR) Box.
• 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 day-ahead or day-of.
2. Price published on server.
3. Polling clients request price every few minutes.
4. Energy Management Control System carries out shed based on price and pre-programmed strategies.

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